Construction began work early Saturday morning demolishing a portion of the Mulholland Drive bridge along Interstate 405, one of the nation's busiest freeways. The bridge and its pillars are being replaced so that the freeway can be widened

For weeks drivers were warned to stay away from a 10-mile stretch of the 405 that will be shuttered through the Sepulveda Pass on LA' s west side for the entire weekend.

If drivers don't avoid the area, officials warn, a citywide traffic jam could result.

During a similar closure last year commuters stayed away from the freeway in droves and the shutdown was considered a success.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)