Traffic on Los Feliz Boulevard can drive anyone to frustration when the east-west route becomes a seemingly endless line of slow-moving vehicles and horn honking drivers between the 5 Freeway and Western Avenue.
Starting Tuesday, it might be best to find an alternative -- if possible -- as construction will limit lanes and restrict left turns on the road south of Griffith Park (map). The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power will upgrade power infrastructure along Los Feliz Boulevard as part of a project that will involve new underground and overhead circuits.
The project will require traffic control through fall with a plan that involves three phases, according to LADWP.
Phase 1: April 2 - Early May
No left turns will be allowed at the intersection of Los Feliz Boulevard and Hillhurst Avenue Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Phase 2: Early May - Late June
Traffic will be reduced to one lane between between Vermont Avenue and Cheswic Lane in each direction from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. A
Phase 3: Late June - Fall 2013
Los Feliz Boulevard will be reduced to one lane in each direction at intervals.
"It's hard because this is the only east-west street here," said Councilmember Tom LaBonge. "This is a de-facto freeway from an old system as people crossed from the northeast part of Los Angeles to the east of Los Angeles."
The circuits involved in the project provide power to about 5,500 customers. Workers will install 1,750 feet of conduit and 6,000 feet of cables.
Two underground vaults also will be constructed.
"The work we are starting this week will ensure power reliability for the next 10 years here in Los Feliz,” said Aram Benyamin, LADWP senior assistant general manager.