Click above to see larger map.

First, let’s stay on message: please do not drive this weekend. Plan ahead, avoid the 405 closure area or eat, shop and play locally. Ten miles of a critical part of our freeway system is going to be closed for demolition of the north side of the Mulholland bridge. The freeways and surface streets can only handle so much traffic. Please do your part and avoid making traffic worse.

That said, we do understand that some people have to drive. If so, please avoid the closure area and use the detour map above. Here’s a more specific map with a breakdown of routes for specific destinations.

One obvious heads up: with the Dodgers in town and in a heated playoff race and shows at the Hollywood Bowl on both Saturday and Sunday nights, the 101 between the San Fernando Valley and downtown L.A. will likely be a very tough drive. THE DODGERS, THE HOLLYWOOD BOWL, THE L.A. TRIATHLON AND EVEN THE OPERA — YES, THE OPERA, OMG!!! — CAN BE REACHED THIS WEEKEND VIA EASY, AFFORDABLE PUBLIC TRANSIT!!! Click here to learn how.

The full closure of most of the 405 between the 10 and the 101 is scheduled to begin tonight and be in full effect by midnight; individual lanes will begin closing at 10 p.m. The freeway is planned to reopen at 5 a.m. Monday, with ramps and connectors by 6 a.m. It is unlikely that the 405 will open early, as happened during the first Carmageddon in July 2011.