Here’s a brand new release cautioning us about construction that could mean traffic backups on Sepulveda next week. If you can avoid Sepulveda, you probably would do well to. And it’s going to be closed at night, every night. So head for the 405 … or for the hills.

In preparation for the addition of another lane to the I-405 Sepulveda Pass — a major milestone in the project — Sepulveda Boulevard between Montana Avenue and Church Lane/Ovada Place will be reduced to one lane in each direction during the day and fully closed at night for one week beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, Nov. 26 and extending to 6 a.m. Monday, Dec. 3. The night-time closures will occur from 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. Lane reductions and overnight closures are necessary so that the grade difference between the new roadway and Sepulveda Boulevard can be eliminated and the contractor can begin building the additional freeway lane.

At the end of the operation, Sepulveda Boulevard will be reconfigured to its final location just east of where it is currently and Homedale Avenue will reopen.

Anticipated construction hours will be from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. to 6 a.m. Dump trucks and excavation equipment will be used and some vibration may occur during the use of the compaction rollers.

Motorists are advised to plan ahead and expect delays during the 7-day construction and attendant lane reduction and closure. Commuters who can, may want to avoid the corridor or seek alternate routes.

The Sepulveda reconfiguration is required so that freeway widening can progress, as part of the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvements Project. The $1 billion, 10-mile northbound carpool lane construction project is a joint Metro and Caltrans effort and is being constructed by Kiewit Infrastructure West Co.

For latest updates visit the project web site at www.metro.net/405 or follow the project on twitter: twitter.com/I_405 and Facebook at facebook.com/405project.