BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Traffic is expected to be snarled on North Santa Monica Boulevard in Beverly Hills Tuesday as crews from the Metropolitan Water District urgently repair a leak in a major water pipeline.

The repairs were set to begin at 4 a.m. Tuesday, and commuters are urged to avoid or allow ample time to travel through a two-block portion of the boulevard during the work.

Only one lane will be open in each direction on North Santa Monica Boulevard between Moreno Drive and Wilshire Boulevard, where Beverly Hills borders the city of Los Angeles, through at least Saturday — although repairs may extend beyond that timeline.

"We will work as quickly as possible to address this issue to protect the region's water supplies, as well as public safety," said Shane Chapman, Metropolitan's assistant general manager of operations. "We appreciate the public's cooperation during this urgent repair."

The leak was discovered in Metropolitan's Santa Monica Feeder, a 24-mile pipeline that delivers water to the cities of Glendale, Burbank, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and Santa Monica. Metropolitan crews will excavate to inspect the pipeline and immediately repair the leak.

In addition to the traffic impacts, local residents and businesses may notice increased noise due to construction and excavation.

Water service to residences and businesses will not be impacted by the leak or construction activities, Chapman said.