Traffic Backup In Sepulveda Pass? Enjoy The Greco-Roman Sepulveda Tunnel While You’re There

The Sepulveda Tunnel runs underneath Mulholland Drive and connects the San Fernando Valley with the west side of Los Angeles. Two lanes run north, one runs south. It was opened in 1930.

 

The tunnel facade contains elements of Greek and Roman architecture. Inside, the tunnel is lined with tiles and has a tiny sidewalk.

 

Coming up from the Valley, Sepulveda is a steep winding road with lots of hairpin turns.  Sleek sports cars slip past you before you even hear them.  Fat, lumbering SUVs cut you off, making you wonder about those rollover statistics.  They are ‘fixing’ Sepulveda, so beware of extra excitement on the way up.

Approaching from the West Side, Sepulveda is fairly straight and steep.  It runs parallel with the 405 freeway until ducking into the hills.  At night and on weekends Sepulveda has fairly light traffic.  That means most people are going 60+ miles per hour on this road.

 

I have seen bicyclists going through this tunnel on the weekends.  It always reminds me of the beginning of that Warren Beatty movie where he gets creamed in a tunnel.  It is not a structure you notice – unless it is rush hour.  Then you will have plenty of time to ponder the facade.  We do not recommend wandering around this area on foot – or bicycle.

The tunnel is slated to be widened from 3 lanes to 4.  This may or may not include changing the facade.  There is another Sepulveda Tunnel which runs underneath LAX.  This tunnel is not marked, so we’re just assuming it shares the same name. 

 

If you know, or can tell me who designed this, please let me know!