Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption The mayor for Los Angeles Eric Garcetti soothes commuters with jazzy traffic information

The mayor of Los Angeles has come up with novel way of warning residents about a major traffic closure this weekend: singing a slow jam.

Eric Garcetti recorded an R&B-style number, complete with music video, in an attempt to soften the news that the 101 freeway will shut for 40 hours.

As factual as it is funky, depending on your tastes, the song contains lots of useful information about the closure.

The freeway is being closed while the city demolishes the 6th Street Bridge.

Backed by the local Theodore Roosevelt High School Jazz Band, Mr Garcetti sings: "See we're bringing down the 6th Street Bridge, making way for something new and the demolition will cause delays.

"But sometimes, just sometimes, you have to get your hands dirty to build something beautiful.

"So on Friday night the 101 Freeway east of downtown will take a break for 40 hours of R&R ... and R&B."

The music was an original score written and performed by the band, according to the LA Times.

The 84-year-old 6th Street Bridge is being torn down because of deterioration in the concrete, the Times said.

The work is expected to take nine months and a replacement bridge is planned for completion in late 2019.