Carmageddon: Dramatic images overnight of 405 bridge's destruction

 
Some of the most dramatic moments of the demolition of half of the Mulholland Bridge occurred early Sunday morning when worker brought down a pillar holding up the bridge.

The bridge over the 405 Freeway has been the scene of nonstop work this weekend. The freeway is closed in what has become known as "Carmageddon."

The Times captured key moments when the pillar came down.

The demolition is part of a larger $1-billion freeway improvement project that includes adding a northbound carpool lane. The freeway will be shut down again in 11 months as crews take down the other half of the bridge.

PHOTOS: 'Carmageddon' closes the 405 Freeway

By Saturday afternoon, the center stand of the bridge was mostly gone, and crews were removing girders on the other two stands. More progress was made overnight.

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--Shelby Grad and Jeff Amlotte

Photos: Jeff Amlotte / Los Angeles Times