If you've ever tried to drive southbound on Sepulveda during rush hour to get to, say, the Fox Hills Mall, you know how impossible it is. This Monday, May 9, 2011, construction begins try to alieviate the situation.The plan is to to widen southbound Sepulveda Boulevard to three continuous lanes between Sawtelle Boulevard and Green Valley Circle.

Currently, there are three travel lanes northbound, but the southbound direction loses a lane at Sawtelle. The result is plenty of red tail-lights until you get past the mall.

The work will include street pavement reconstruction (with long lasting concrete street pavement), landscape median modification, traffic signal modification, utility relocation and other miscellaneous improvements. Street reconstruction will extend approximately 200 feet up Playa Street/Jefferson Boulevard, Slauson Avenue, and Green Valley Circle.

The work will take place between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., seven days a week, with occasional overnight work. At times, there will be only one lane open in each direction, and motorists are advised to use alternate routes. More information is available here.

The project is expected to be completed by November 2011.