Carmageddon bring chaos LA Drivers fastest commute deserted roads

For weeks it was forecast to bring chaos to Los Angeles - but so-called Carmageddon ended 16 hours ahead of schedule today when the city's crucial 405 freeway opened again. Drivers honked their horns and waved from car windows as traffic started moving on Interstate 405 just after noon, for the first time since being shut down at midnight Friday to allow for the partial demolition of a bridge.

The people of Los Angeles had warned that driving as usual this weekend could trigger what's been hyped as Carmageddon - an event that could back up vehicles from the I-405 to surface streets and other freeways, causing a domino effect that could paralyze much of Los Angeles. However traffic was in fact much lighter than usual, whith many normally busy through routes turned into ghost roads. Back in business: Traffic flows on the 405 interstate after it reopened this afternoon. The city experienced much lighter traffic than normal over the weekend following dire warnings of chaos Police escort: The California Highway Patrol leads the first vehicles through dust on southbound Interstate 405 Celebrations: Los Angeles mayor celebrates as the 405 freeway is reopened, right. The freeway that is usually fender to fender to traffic was turned into a ghost road as it was closed to demolish a bridge Work in progress: A worker looks on as the last support column of the Mulholland Drive bridge across the 405 freeway is knocked down in LA today And many city residents were scathing of the dire warnings that turned out to be completely over the top. �How's everyone coping with this terrifying apocalyptic nightmare of having to ... oh my god ... stay home with your family?!!!� Bill Maher wrote on Twitter. Albert Brooks took a more philosophical approach in his Tweet: 'If we would close the freeways every weekend we would have a great society.' 'It was just so nice. It took me actually less time to get to work than it would have on a normal weekend,' said Jenn Tanaguchi, a hairstylist who has to drive from downtown to her job at a salon in Brentwood. 'People were telling me that I would have to leave two hours early, that everything would be blocked out. But there were no problems. It was such a nice ride.' The traffic many thought would be a nightmare has been much lighter than normal as the California city entered the second full day on Sunday in the shutdown of one of the country's busiest highways. All clear: This aerial photo shows Interstate 405 in Los Angeles on Saturday, during a 53-hour shutdown of a 10-mile stretch of one of the region's most critical freeways to allow partial demolition of the Mulholland Drive bridge High view: One aerial photo, left, shows Interstate 405 and the on and off ramp at Sunset Blvd, and another, right, shows the on ramp from the 10 Freeway West to Interstate 405 North and the on and off ramp from the 405 freeway to the 10 Freeway going east and west  However some were concerned the lack of gridlock would make drivers complacent and spur them to return to the road before Monday's scheduled reopening. �We hope they still listen to what we're saying and not go out and try to drive through this area, because it is going to be congested if people do that,� a California Department of Transportation spokesman said. Authorities closed the segment of 405 on the western side of Los Angeles at midnight Friday for 53 hours to allow partial demolition of a bridge. Gail Standish, 47, pedalled from Beverly Hills with her bicycling club to a 405 overlook a quarter-mile from the closed span. �Everybody's calling this weekend Carmageddon, but seeing the freeway empty it feels more post-apocalyptic,� Ms Standish said. Many mocked the frenzied language surrounding the closure, especially on Twitter. No cars: It was a 'Carmageddon' car-free Saturday at 12pm on the 405 at Sunset Blvd in Los Angeles Quiet: Benedict Canyon Drive is seen near a closed 405 freeway in Los Angeles, California, left, where media vehicles could be seen alongside a closed portion, right �How's everyone coping with this terrifying apocalyptic nightmare of having to ... oh my god ... stay home with your family?!!!� Bill Maher wrote. Albert Brooks was more philosophical in his Tweet: �If we would close the freeways every weekend we would have a great society.� For weeks, authorities warned people that driving as usual this weekend could trigger what's been hyped as �Carmageddon� - an event could back up vehicles from the 405 to surface streets and other freeways, causing a domino effect that could paralyze much of Los Angeles. But the fears of epic traffic jams dissipated with fewer cars on the roads. �It's been one of the most quiet Saturdays I've seen in forever,� said Steven Ramada, who had expected to hear lots of cars honking in front of his Sherman Oaks home but instead only heard news helicopters. Aerial view: The intersection of the closed 405 freeway and the 101 freeway is seen in Los Angeles Demolition work is expected to be completed by 2am on Monday, followed by clean-up and reopening of the freeway at 5am, with on-ramps and connectors all reopened by an hour later. Project contractor Kiewit Infrastructure West will face a $6,000 fine in each direction for every 10 minutes of delay in getting the freeway reopened - which is a total of $72,000 an hour. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa flew over the city in a helicopter and said it was clear there were far fewer cars on freeways and streets than normal, but he that there were still hours to go. Progress on demolition of the half-century-old Mulholland Bridge was on schedule, Mayor Villaraigosa said. �We've made great progress,� he added. Powerful machines with long booms hammered away at the south side of the span, which is being removed to allow construction of an additional freeway lane. Still driving: Traffic moves along Sepulveda Boulevard as a 10-mile stretch of Interstate 405 is shut down The plan is to leave the north-side lanes standing until the south side is rebuilt. Another closure will be required in the future to demolish the north side. Authorities looking at the potential impacts of the $1billion interstate project spent months giving the public dire warnings. The event got its name when Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky told a press conference in June that �this doesn't need to be a Carmageddon� if people avoided driving. The potential for Carmageddon is rooted in Los Angeles' geography. The city is divided by the Santa Monica Mountains, which stretch more than 40 miles from near downtown westward through Malibu. The populous San Fernando Valley lies on the north side, and the Los Angeles Basin sprawls to the south. Local and long-distance freeway traffic through the mountains has to squeeze through Sepulveda Pass on I-405 or about five miles to the east through Cahuenga Pass, which carries U.S. 101 through the heart of Hollywood. Cyclists: Los Angeles is expecting 'Carmaggedon', as the 405 Freeway is shut down for the removal of the Mulholland Drive bridge In between there is no grid of boulevards, just a few narrow, windy canyon roads. Skirting the closure to the west of Sepulveda Pass would require even longer canyon routes between U.S. 101 and the Pacific Coast Highway. The 405's load is increased by a major interstate interchange below the south end of Sepulveda Pass and traffic associated with the University of California, Los Angeles, and Los Angeles International Airport. At the north end of the pass, the 405 connects with a major artery between Los Angeles and San Francisco. Farther north, the 405 also connects with California's backbone highway, Interstate 5. The drumbeat of warnings about the weekend triggered an instant industry of businesses trying to capitalize. JetBlue offered special flights from Burbank in the San Fernando Valley to Long Beach, with seats for the short hop costing just $4 or $5. Light traffic: Vehicles take a detour as the 405 freeway is closed in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday A cycling group saw that as an opportunity for a race. The cyclists started their ride 90 minutes before the flight's departure time to simulate the time that passengers would have to arrive at Burbank. Another member of the group took the flight and all were to meet at a Long Beach park. Cyclist Stephan Andranian said it took the bikers one hour and 34 minutes to complete the ride from Burbank to Long Beach, largely following the Los Angeles River. Flight passenger Joe Anthony's total travel time including cab ride from Long Beach Airport to the park was just over 2 1/2 hours. �We want to show that using a bike in LA is not only possible but that it can be faster than other modes of transportation,� Andranian said. Some trespassers have crept on the 405. Officials report a bicyclist made it onto the road before getting escorted off by police, a man was cited for driving on the roadway, several people were found putting up a large sign, and a man was caught scaling a perimeter fence. Taken apart: The 53-hour bridge demolition project will test whether such a car-dependent city can change its driving habits for a weekend For weeks, authorities have urged residents to avoid getting in their car and triggering what has been hyped as �Carmageddon'. Such an event could back up vehicles from the 405 to surface streets and other freeways, causing a domino effect that could paralyse much of Los Angeles. Locals like to joke that the road�s name is shorthand for �traffic that moves no faster than 4 or 5 miles an hour�. With warnings having been broadcast through television, radio, social media and flashing freeway signs as far away as San Francisco, most of the city's nearly 4 million residents appear ready to stay off the roads. Crews systematically began closing on- and off-ramps beginning at 7pm on Friday then began lane closures at 10pm, before the entire 10-mile section that runs through the Sepulveda Pass was closed at midnight. Evening rush-hour traffic was light in the hours before the shutdown. Motorists took to Twitter to marvel at the rare sight of traffic maps showing a sea of green, indicating that traffic was flowing. �Carmaggedon? More like carmaheaven. No traffic in L.A.,� tweeted Chip Dorsh, who said he breezed through a canyon road to get from his job in Culver City to the San Fernando Valley. �When I left work, it was like a no man's land,� Mr Dorsh later said. Make it snappy: Two pneumatic hammers from above and one from below continue the demolition of two lanes of Mulholland Drive bridge over Interstate 405 in Los Angeles, right, and a visitor takes advantage of a small gap in the fence to photograph the work Deserted: Carmageddon has hit Los Angeles, as the 405 Freeway is shut down for the removal of the bridge  Yellow jacket: Jerry Wenker walks his bike as a 10-mile stretch of Interstate 405 is shut down to demolish the Mulholland Drive bridge in Los Angeles on Saturday Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa said he thinks traffic will move smoothly if motorists take advice and stay close to home throughout the weekend. �We can either say we survived Carmageddon or we survived the Carmageddon hype,� he said. If people listen, there will be no shortage of staycation activities or adventures awaiting them. They can snag free cotton candy at the Santa Monica Pier or drop in on Michael Jackson's dermatologist for 25 per cent off Botox injections so that frazzled commuters won't look quite so frazzled. Dawn breaks: Workers demolish the south side of Mulholland overpass on the 405 freeway during the closure Clear: Interstate 405 is free of traffic, seen looking southbound from the Skirball Drive bridge, in preparation for the demolition of the Mulholland Drive bridge, just after midnight early Saturday morning Destruction: Workers operate on the Mulholland bridge during the partial demolition of the bridge over the 405 Those who do want that real road warrior look might consider swinging by T-Man's Tattoos (located just off the 405) in the San Fernando Valley. �If you come on in and mention you're in town because you're stuck from Carmageddon, you can get 15 per cent off tattoos and piercings,� proprietor Howard Teman said. A few planned to take discounted helicopter rides over the empty stretch of the 405 and several dozen others have $4 to $5 tickets to board special JetBlue flights between Long Beach Airport and Bob Hope Airport in Burbank. The airline, seizing on the national buzz about Carmageddon, offered the deal this week by calling the short, 20- to 30-minute flights a �planepool� between the San Fernando Valley and the coastal city. Tickets sold out within three hours. The flights inspired a group of cyclists to challenge JetBlue to a race. Members of the Wolfpack Hustle planned to peddle on a roughly 40-mile route starting near the Burbank airport to see whether they or a JetBlue passenger will reach Long Beach first. Red lights: Traffic is backed up on the northbound of Interstate 405 freeway near I-10 freeway after it closed for construction at midnight Cycling advocates said they hope to show that gridlock can be avoided without using a car or plane. �Everyone's freaking out about car traffic around the 405, bicycling represents a very viable alternative,� cyclist Gary Kavanagh said. Meanwhile, construction crews were working feverishly to take down half of the 50-year-old Mulholland Bridge as part of a $1 billion freeway-widening project. Officials say a full closure is necessary to demolish one side of the span, and they picked this weekend to minimize impact to traffic on a workday. They expect another closure next year to replace the other half. Extra police, fire and medical personnel were on hand to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Or, if it doesn't, to ensure they are prepared to handle any emergency. Night work: Construction workers using heavy machinery begin demolishing the Mulholland Bridge Building: Workers operate on the Mulholland bridge during the partial demolition of the bridge over the 405 freeway in Los Angeles, California, on Saturday  The city fire department put two dozen additional engines, fire companies and ambulances into service, placing them in neighbourhoods that firemen might have a hard time getting to from jammed roadways. Much of the section of freeway that is being shut down winds through a hillside pass near Beverly Hills and other communities that are susceptible to brushfires. Wildfire season, however, hasn't reached its peak yet, fire officials said. Besides, this weekend's expected humid weather should further reduce the threat of a fire. The UCLA Health System, which runs the huge Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center located near the 405, was putting its weekend staff in dorm rooms and hotels to ensure they don't run late to work. Three helicopter companies were on standby to transport patients and human organs in case of emergency procedures. For those who do have to drive, a Cedars-Sinai Medical Center psychiatrist was offering advice on how to keep calm and stay safe. Among Dr Waguih William Ishak's advice was to avoid road rage at all costs, apologise profusely to anyone you accidentally cut off in traffic and be sure to leave for your destination with a full tank of petrol and a mobile phone. Ghost road: A view of Interstate 405 freeway after it shut - many of the surrounding roads were also deserted as drivers stayed at home Carmaheaven: Traffic is light as it is diverted off the northbound Interstate 405 freeway Or, better yet, authorities say, stay at home. �If everyone heeds our advice, this whole weekend will be in our rear view mirror and everybody will be fine,� Los Angeles County Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky said. With most people staying at home, the few who braved setting out on Friday night got to experience 'eerily open' lanes and the 'quickest Friday commute ever'. However there are fears that the worst traffic chaos will hit the city today and tomorrow. A 10-mile stretch of the 405 connecting the west side of the city with the San Fernando Valley was scheduled to close for 53 hours beginning on Friday night. Around the afternoon rush hour, the city activated its emergency operation centre before highway officers began blocking access to on- and off-ramps. Freeway lanes closed one by one until authorities completed a full shutdown by midnight. Television news broadcasts showed that surface streets were unusually quiet in other parts of Los Angeles, including Laurel Canyon, a winding, narrow north-south route which could be used as an alternative to the highway. Closing down: David Konell and his daughters Lila Konell, 6, and Olivia Konell, 10, pose for a photo on the Palms Boulevard overpass of the 405 freeway as it shuts, while a construction worker installs a sign to close the ramp of Interstate 405 freeway at Santa Monica Boulevard on Friday Expecting the worst: News media cover the closure of the 405 freeway with the Mulholland bridge in the background in Los Angeles  On a typical July weekend, about a half-million vehicles use that section to get to such major destinations as Los Angeles International Airport, UCLA, Beverly Hills and numerous popular beaches. To discourage driving, the city is offering free rides on the subway and certain bus lines and adding more commuter train service. Hotels and restaurants are offering discounts. Construction crews have been gearing up for months, but so have police, fire and medical officials seeking to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Or, if it doesn't, to ensure they are prepared to handle any emergency. All clear: On-ramps began to shut on the 405 Freeway at 7:30pm Empty: A worker places barricades as the Mulholland bridge is closed over the 405 freeway in Los Angeles, California The city fire department put two dozen additional engines, fire companies and ambulances into service, placing them in neighbourhoods that firefighters might have a hard time getting to from jammed roadways. Battalion Chief Chuck Butler said: 'Our biggest concern is gridlock, obviously. There are a lot of areas over in West L.A. and the San Fernando Valley that we expect to be impacted due to the closure.' Much of the section of freeway that is being shut down winds through a hillside pass near Beverly Hills and other communities that are susceptible to brushfires. Quick commute: Traffic was moving at the start of 'Carmageddon' despite warnings of an epic gridlock On alert: Los Angeles Police Department Captain Philip Fontanetta (right) checks resources for the activation of the city's Emergency Operations during the closure at the city's Emergency Operations Center Wildfire season, however, hasn't reached its peak yet, Butler said. Besides, this weekend's expected humid weather should further reduce the threat of a fire. The UCLA Health System, which runs the huge Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center located near the 405, put three helicopter companies on standby to transport patients and human organs. The centre also stockpiled extra medical supplies and 5,200 boxed lunches for its staff. For those who do have to drive, a Cedars-Sinai Medical Center psychiatrist was offering advice on how to keep calm and stay safe. Among Dr Waguih William IsHak's advice: avoid road rage at all costs, apologise profusely to anyone you accidentally cut off in traffic, be sure to leave for your destination with a full tank of gas and a cell phone. Preparing for the worst: Custodians at Santa Monica-UCLA Medical Center Orlando Rojas (left) and Blanca Rodriguez (right) set-up cots to be used by over a hundred UCLA medical personnel ahead of major gridlocks A normal day: Los Angeles residents are bracing for an epic traffic tie-up that will result when a 10-mile stretch of the 405 Freeway being closed for construction this evening Authorities are encouraging residents to stay at home when possible. For those who do, Time Warner Cable promised to have technicians in the affected area ready to fix any TV-related problem. The company was also activating a special 'Beat the Traffic' channel with 24-hour reports from the Los Angeles Regional Transportation Management Center. With most people taking detours or staying home to avoid a paralysing gridlock, those who ignored warnings joked about the eerie open roads, with some Twitter users calling Carmageddon the 'quickest Friday commute ever.' Around town, some people are organising neighbourhood walks, bicycle rides and even 'Carmageddon' parties. Joann Killeen, who lives near the 405, is going to attend such a party Saturday at her next-door-neighbour's house. 'We're going in our garages and looking for old Scrabble boards and Monopoly games and we're going to bring potlucks and just be silly from about 5 o'clock until midnight,' she said Locals have gone so far as to create a Facebook group to propose block holding a block party on a Santa Monica Boulevard ramp to the 405, complete with beer and guitars. A group of bicyclists also sought permission to ride down the inclines of freeway in the Sepulveda Pass this weekend. But both ideas were ultimately rejected due to safety concerns. Closure: A map of the planned closure of Interstate 405 in Los Angeles this weekend Detour: Local detour routes for the closed freeway are shown ahead of the road shut downs in Los Angeles Getting around: A regional detour map shows how drivers can manoeuvre around the road closures in Los Angeles this weekend  Commander Andy Smith told the Los Angeles Times: 'In planning for this closure, we gathered the best emergency around. We tried to think of everything but some of these requests are beyond even what we had anticipated.' Smith warned anyone violating the party bans to expect 'a swift and certain police response.' 'Anyone who is looking to do something should think again. We'll have a lot of cops out there and they will be looking for something to do,' he said. Meanwhile, throughout the city, businesses are cashing in on what has turned into a staycation for many locals. 'I Survived Carmageddon' T-shirts are being sold all over the place. Movie theatres along the 405 are treating customers to free popcorn and even Michael Jackson's former dermatologist for 25-per cent-off Botox injections so that frazzled commuters won't look quite so frazzled. Grammy-winning humorist Stan Freberg is planning to visit a mall just off the freeway to sign copies of his latest CD, 'Songs in the Key of Freberg,' which features a song called 'Gridlock.' That is, if he can get there with his wife Hunter. 'We could end up just toodling around in traffic in our Prius, playing "Gridlock" ourselves,' he said. If you adored this write-up and you would certainly such as to get additional facts relating to city car driving crack kindly browse through our own web-site.