The closure of a 10-mile stretch of the 405 Freeway came and went during the weekend as demolition crews completed work on the Mulholland Bridge in time to reopen the freeway for the Monday morning commute and a high-speed pursuit.
Traffic flowed through the Sepulveda Pass early Monday, just hours after demolition crews wrapped up work on the north side of the Mulholland Bridge as part of a freeway widening project. Electronic freeway signs that once warned of impending automotive doom read, "Thanks again Los Angeles" -- a pat on the motoring public's collective back after no major problems were reported during the weekend closure known as "Carmageddon II."
A crash involving a big rig on the southbound 405 Freeway slowed traffic near Nordhoff Street and a pursuit suspect sped through the demolition area -- just hours after the freeway reopened -- but no major issues were reported during the Monday morning commute.
One of the nation's busiest stretches of road reopened after bridge work that began Saturday. Crews demolished the north side of the bridge in a sequel to the July 2011 demolition of the south side of the bridge.
The 2011 project required a weekend-long closure on the same stretch of road. That closure also was considered a success after no major traffic tie-ups were reported.
California Highway Patrol officers said the Saturday-Sunday closure compared favorably to the original, citing "minor breaches" of the closed freeway. Seven people were detained, including rollerbladers, skaters, and possibly a groom and his groomsman, the CHP said.
During the 2011 closure, a group of friends had dinner on the empty freeway.
