I-405 in LA closed for bridge demolition

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LOS ANGELES, Sept. 29 (UPI) -- The long-awaited closure of 10 miles of Interstate 405 in Los Angeles went smoothly and heavy equipment rolled into the site Saturday, project managers said.

The so-called Carmageddon II project shut down a 10-mile stretch of the always-busy 405 in west LA so part of the Mullholland Drive bridge in the Sepulvada Pass can be torn down.

The shutdown began Friday night. Crews then dumped 4 feet of dirt on the freeway around the bridge to protect the roadway from falling debris, the Los Angeles Times said.

The goal is to remove the bridge in time for the Monday commute, which will require the freeway to remain closed through the weekend. That means motorists won't have access to key interchanges and off ramps in the Santa Monica area between Interstate 10 and the 101.

The bridge demolition is part of a $1 billion project to add another northbound lane through the pass, which connects west LA with the San Fernando Valley.