Construction crews are beginning an important piece of work for the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Widening Project to add a northbound carpool lane between the 10 and 101 freeways.  They will be actually relocating Sepulveda Boulevard to the east to make way for the planned 10-mile carpool lane between the I-10 and U.S. 101.

Over the next eight weeks, Metro’s contractor will begin working with the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power to relocate overhead power lines on Sepulveda Boulevard between Montana Avenue and Sunset Boulevard. There will be some street lane closures during construction.

Check the project web site for updates and/or follow the project on Twitter. Here’s the construction notice for this phase of work:

What:     Under-grounding of DWP overhead electrical lines

When:    Work is anticipated to start on Monday, March 1, 2010 for approximately 8 weeks, weather permitting.  Anticipated work hours are from 9:00am to 3:00pm and 9:00pm to 6:00am.  Saturday work is anticipated between the hours of 8:00am and 6:00pm.

Where:    Northbound Sepulveda Blvd. between Montana Ave. and Sunset Blvd. and
intersection closures will be implemented as followed for 1 week at each location:

• Work is anticipated to start on March 22nd at Sepulveda Blvd and Homedale St.
• Work is anticipated to start on March 22nd at Sepulveda Blvd and alleyway (south of Bronwood Ave).
• Work is anticipated to start on March 29th Sepulveda Blvd and Bronwood Ave

What to expect:

Temporary reconfiguration of traffic lanes (re-striping) and concrete rail placement will occur prior to the under-grounding of utilities.

• Traffic detours signs will be placed to direct vehicles around the closed intersections.
• During construction hours northbound Sepulveda traffic will be detoured to eastbound Montana Ave., northbound Veteran Ave., to westbound Sunset Blvd., to Sepulveda Way and back to Sepulveda Blvd.
• Daytime construction activities will consist of trenching operations and trench backfilling
• Night construction operations will consist of conduit installation and trench backfilling.
• Bus stop for lines 2 and 302 at Homedale and Sepulveda will be temporarily relocated during construction.
• Local access to residences will be maintained.
• Pedestrians will be rerouted to a safe area outside the construction zone.
• Emergency vehicle access will be maintained.