101 closure: A potential traffic nightmare begins

The demolition of the 6th Street Bridge continued on Saturday evening.

A portion of the 6th Street Bridge that passes over the 101 Freeway near downtown Los Angeles is demolished on Feb. 6, 2016.

Demolition crews make quick work on the 6th Street Bridge. Completion of a $445-million replacement span is scheduled for late 2019.

Heavy machinery equipped with powerful hydraulic jackhammers turns a section of the 6th Street Bridge, where it passes over the 101 Freeway near downtown Los Angeles, into rubble and dust.

A view of the closed 101 Freeway, right, and rerouted traffic on the 5 Freeway from 7th Street. The freeway closure has been dubbed #101SlowJam.

A view of a nearly empty 101 Freeway from 4th Street.

Demolition crews take down the east portal of the 6th Street Bridge.

Onlookers gather at Jessie and Clarence streets to watch the demolition work.

A skateboarder whizzes by the 101 Freeway as demolition crews work on the 6th Street Bridge on Saturday.

Authorities shut down the freeway in Boyle Heights so that demolition crews could begin removing the 6th Street Bridge.

Officials say the 84-year-old 6th Street Bridge must be removed because of chemical deterioration in its concrete.

Equipment sits ready to begin the destruction of the 6th Street Bridge.

The 101 Freeway between the 10 and 5 through Boyle Heights is vacant Friday night.