The work is part of the I-405 Sepulveda Pass improvements project. The San Diego Freeway was closed for 53 hours to enable the demolition of the north part of the bridge.The south side was demolished in the 'Carmageddon' operation in July 2011.
A dirt bed was placed to protect the freeway beneath the bridge before crews broke through the deck, causing it to fall. Kiewet then began the clean-up process to allow the freeway to reopen.
Two large sections fell before they had been cut into smaller pieces. But the city of Los Angeles reported that this was not a cause for concern and that it did not cause any damage to the newly constructed part of the bridge.
Caltrans took the opportunity of the closure to carry out other maintenance work undisturbed by cars. “Some have called this closure Carmeggedon II. At Caltrans we call it an opportunity,” said District 7 director Michael Miles in advance of the operation. “We are going to be able to complete almost seven weeks of maintenance work within 48 hours.”
