Construction on Sepulveda Tunnel Begins in October

Crews will begin installing additional lighting and other safety features in the Sepulveda Tunnel under Los Angeles International Airport during the first week of October.

The $3.5 million project is estimated to last until Nov. 16 and then resume after the holidays, Jan. 2, and continue until an estimated date of June 20. It will replace the existing wall-mounted lighting system and emergency backup system with about 572 new energy efficient LED lights in the tunnel between West Century Boulevard and the 105 Freeway. 

"This project will enhance the visibility and safety of the Sepulveda Tunnel, while significantly reducing energy costs by 64 percent," Ed Ebrahimian, director of Bureau of Street Lighting, said in a statement. "Once completed, the state of the art new LED lighting will serve as a gateway to welcome visitors and reaffirm the City of Los Angeles' goal of becoming the greenest City in the nation."

The tunnel was built in the 1950’s, and retrofitting is being funded by the state gas tax fund and it will be reimbursed by federal funding. 

"The start of this project is great news from a safety and fiscal standpoint," said Councilman Bill Rosendahl in a statement. "The appropriation will use existing gas taxes and install a new, state of the art, LED lighting system that's brighter, more reliable and much easier to maintain than the current system we have now."

The bulk of the work will take place overnight.