Carmageddon in pictures

Traffic moves slowly on the 405 freeway in Los Angeles, California, the day before the closure Photograph: Eric Thayer/Reuters

Men sell T-shirts near the 405 interstate Photograph: Jae C Hong/AP

Ramp closure signs on ramps leading on to the 405 freeway before the 53-hour closure Photograph: Ted Soqui/Corbis

Traffic is blocked on the north-bound of the 405 freeway shortly after it closed at midnight on 15 July Photograph: Ringo H.W. Chiu/AP

Workers demolish the south side of Mulholland overpass on the 405 freeway during its 53-hour closure Photograph: David McNew/Getty Images

One of the busiest freeways in California, the 405, stands vacant as workers demolish the south side of the Mulholland overpass Photograph: David McNew/Getty Images

Members of the media are escorted on the 405 freeway during its closure Photograph: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

A portion of the closed 405 freeway in Los Angeles Photograph: Eric Thayer/Reuters

A man with his bike in LA – people sought alternative means of travel over the weekend as the 405 closed Photograph: Jae C Hong/AP

A California highway patrol officer walks on the empty 405 freeway Photograph: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

Workers demolish part of the Mulholland Drive bridge Photograph: Eric Thayer/Reuters

A woman takes a picture of the closed 405 freeway Photograph: Eric Thayer/Reuters

An empty 405 freeway in Los Angeles Photograph: Eric Thayer/Reuters

A photographer lies down on the 405 freeway Photograph: Ted Soqui/Corbis