LA Drivers Steer Clear of 'Carmageddon' Scenario Carmageddon II, the sequel to last year's shutdown of one of the nation's busiest freeways, is going according to script as many Los Angeles drivers heeded warnings to stay off the road. Traffic tie-ups were minimal Saturday as construction crews worked around the clock to tear down a portion of the Mulholland Drive bridge on Interstate 405 as part of a $1 billion project to add a new carpool lane. Officials said the demolition was on schedule and that they expect to reopen the freeway as planned for Monday morning. For the most part, drivers steered clear from the freeway. As temperatures climbed into the 90s, those who couldn't resist a trip to the beach said traffic was smooth. We've been all over the city, no traffic. We even went to Dairy Queen for an ice cream and there was nobody there," Marilyn Millen told KNBC-TV. For weeks, Angelenos have been warned to avoid the area on LA's West Side. If they don't, officials warn, a citywide traffic jam could result. Morning walkers and bicyclists stop on Skirball Bridge to view and photograph heavy equipment busy in the demolition of part of the Mullholland Drive bridge over the 405 freeway early Sept. 29, 2012 in Los Angeles. Construction crews began work early Saturday taking down a portion of the Mulholland Drive bridge along Interstate 405, one of the nation's busiest freeways. Traffic was light around Los Angeles hours after the start of Carmageddon II, and transportation officials were hoping it stays that way until the bridge is demolished before the Monday morning rush hour. The fine is $6,000 per lane of freeway, for every 10 minutes over the deadline. Demolition temporarily halted Saturday afternoon when a large chunk of the bridge unexpectedly came down, but the contractor said it won't delay the project. The closed section of the freeway carries about 500,000 motorists each day on a typical weekend, according to the Los Angeles Times. California Department of Transportation officials said that in order for Carmageddon II to be a success, at least two-thirds of those drivers need to stay off the road. Meanwhile, TV news crews appeared to make good on a promise to avoid a traffic jam in the sky as they cover the shutdown.