Los Angeles' 405 "Carmageddon": Is it Really Going to Be Such a Catastrophe?

Los Angeles is not known for its subtlety.

The vehicular debacle dramatically baptized "Carmageddon" overtakes Los Angeles for a little over two days this weekend and the region is in a panic over the presumption that a demolition project obstructing a ten-mile stretch of a major freeway, the infamous 405, will cripple the city. But exhaustive signage and news coverage have been warning citizens and commuters of the impending doom for some time, with the L.A.P.D. even utilizing popular celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Lady Gaga and Ashton Kutcher to spread the news on Twitter-- for those with a lifestyle just too fast-paced for the L.A. Times online.

“Friday July 15 at 7pm we are going to start closing the off ramps between the 101 and the 405, by 10pm they’ll close traffic lanes and by midnight they will close the entire freeway," L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa detailed during a broadcast of “On Air with Ryan Seacrest“ Monday morning. "The freeway will be closed until Monday July 18th at 5am and the ramps won’t be re-opened in that area until 6am. This is 53 long hours.”

The mayor also offered some helpful suggestions for how to get by during this trying time. “We are asking people to stay home, we are asking them to BBQ...they should get on a bike, walk, but you just don’t want to be in that area.”

”You can use the subway for free as well as the buses in the valley and on the west side and in the west valley area. You can go to the MTA website to get more information, but you will be able to use public transportation for free during that 53 hour period.”

Are pampered Angelenos making a mountain out of a molehill despite being given ample time to prepare for the mega closure this weekend? Or will the 405 freeway fiasco actually freeze up sunny So-Cal?