Evening commuters who use the Sepulveda Pass will find themselves learning the streets a little better during a four-year construction project aimed at widening the pass itself and completing a 10-mile carpool lane from the San Diego Freeway (405) to the Ventura Freeway (101).

The project begins tonight (1/14), when crews will re-stripe lanes and place concrete barriers along the route to protect construction workers and traffic.

Work is scheduled to begin at the segment of the 405 from the 10 freeway to Santa Monica Boulevard, with varying lane closures from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. scheduled on weekdays and a full freeway closure set Friday night from midnight to 5 a.m. for lane marking purposes.

Updated freeway closures and lane restrictions are available at www.micro.net/I-405.

According to Metro, the agency working with Caltrans on this improvement project, this undertaking will reduce existing and forecasted traffic congestion on the 405 and enhance traffic operations by adding freeway capacity in an area that experiences heavy congestion. In addition to these modifications, the project will improve both existing and future mobility and enhance safety throughout the corridor.

Elements of the project include adding the 10-mile carpool (formally known as an HOV or High Occupancy Vehicle lane) between the 450 and 101; removal and replacement of the Skirball Center, Sunset Boulevard and Mulholland Drive bridges; realignment of 27 on- and off-ramps; widening 13 existing underpasses and structures and the construction of about 18 miles of retaining and sound walls.

Construction is expected to be completed in 2014.