Carmageddon: The 405 Freeway Shuts Down (PHOTOS)

A 10-mile stretch of normally clogged Interstate 405 was shut down for 53 hours on Friday evening. With the closing of ramps to Freeway 405 in Los Angeles, the 'Carmageddon' started leaving the road deserted.

Authorities, for weeks, alerted and urged residents not to use the road to avoid 'Carmageddon'.

However, the initial reports said the fears of a horrible traffic snarl were blown out of proportion.

Photo: Reuters

Message signs have been activated and placed around Los Angeles County in preparation for the 405 closure during road construction this weekend in Los Angeles

Photo: Reuters

Traffic flows along the 405 freeway in Los Angeles, California July 14, 2011. "Carmageddon" is the name Los Angeles residents are giving the likely epic traffic tie-up that will result when a 10-mile (16-km) stretch of the 405 Freeway is closed for construction, including the demolition of the Mulholland Bridge, from Friday night to Monday morning between two of the nation's busiest interchanges.

Photo: Reuters

A worker walks across the Mulholland Bridge, which is slated for demolition beginning Friday night, along the 405 freeway in Los Angeles, California July 14, 2011. "Carmageddon" is the name Los Angeles residents are giving the likely epic traffic tie-up that will result when a 10-mile (16-km) stretch of the 405 Freeway is closed for construction, including the demolition of the bridge, from Friday night to Monday morning between two of the nation's busiest interchanges.

Photo: Reuters

A worker surveys the Mulholland Bridge, which is slated for demolition beginning Friday night, along the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles, California July 14, 2011. "Carmageddon" is the name Los Angeles residents are giving the likely epic traffic tie-up that will result when a 10-mile (16-km) stretch of the 405 Freeway is closed for construction, including the demolition of the bridge, from Friday night to Monday morning between two of the nation's busiest interchanges.

Photo: Reuters

A worker stands on the Mulholland Bridge, which is slated for demolition beginning Friday night, along the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles, California July 14, 2011. "Carmageddon" is the name Los Angeles residents are giving the likely epic traffic tie-up that will result when a 10-mile (16-km) stretch of the 405 Freeway is closed for construction, including the demolition of the bridge, from Friday night to Monday morning between two of the nation's busiest interchanges.

Photo: Reuters

The Mulholland Bridge, which is slated for demolition beginning Friday night, is seen along the 405 Freeway in Los Angeles, California July 14, 2011. "Carmageddon" is the name Los Angeles residents are giving the likely epic traffic tie-up that will result when a 10-mile (16-km) stretch of the 405 Freeway is closed for construction, including the demolition of the bridge, from Friday night to Monday morning between two of the nation's busiest interchanges.

Photo: Reuters

Traffic enters the 405 Freeway near the Mulholland Bridge, which is slated for demolition beginning Friday night, in Los Angeles, California July 14, 2011. "Carmageddon" is the name Los Angeles residents are giving the likely epic traffic tie-up that will result when a 10-mile (16-km) stretch of the 405 Freeway is closed for construction, including the demolition of the bridge, from Friday night to Monday morning between two of the nation's busiest interchanges.

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