The event dubbed "carmageddon" has come to end, and Interstate 405 is once again open in both directions between the 10 and 101 freeways after the stretch of highway was shutdown over the weekend. Not only was traffic lighter than usual over the weekend--the major delays that signs touted for more than a month never materialized--but the project was completed about 18 hours ahead of schedule.

"Mission accomplished," Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa proclaimed at a late-morning news conference, where it was announced the freeway would be opening up well before Monday morning rush-hour traffic. The closure was expected to last until 6:00 a.m., sparking some concern that the project could impact the morning commute. Instead, the freeway reopened just before noon on Sunday.

The freeway was closed in both directions so that part of the bridge over Mulholland Drive could be demolished. The demolition is part of a $1 billion project to widen the 405.

Villaraigosa said the early reopening would save roughly $400,000 in salary and associated costs. 

Another closure of the 10-mile stretch of the 405 freeway between the 10 and 101 is planned for sometime next year so the other half of the bridge can be demolished.