Residents and visitors to New Orleans' storied French Quarter should prepare for a flurry of construction activity as the Department of Public Works commences a major roadwork project spearheaded by its contractor, Boh Bros Construction Co., LLC. As reported by the City of New Orleans, the French Quarter will see temporary street closures starting immediately, with the project slated for completion by February 2025, weather permitting; work is scheduled Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and streets will be accessible again in the evenings.
While construction progresses in 3 to 4 block segments and milling and overlay operations are expected to last about one week for each section "No Parking" signs will be installed prior to the start of construction, to inform residents of the impending restrictions. The various project locations include stretches along Gov. Nicholls Street, Ursulines Avenue, and multiple others spanning a range of blocks, adding complexity to French Quarter navigation and no doubt a layer of inconvenience for those who dwell or commerce within the tapestry of its history-laden streets, according to the City of New Orleans.
The undertaking, identified as DPW 773: 2024 French Quarter Right of Way (ROW) Project, is extensive with a mandate to improve milling, surface overlaying, and the repair of sidewalks and curbs. In the light of safety concerns, traffic control measures will be robust with "No Parking/Tow Away Zone" signs and directional signage, along with barrels and fencing to ensure vehicular and pedestrian safety within the construction zones, as detailed by the City of New Orleans.
According to the City of New Orleans announcement, this work is a piece of a larger tapestry since May 2018, Department of Public Works has realized 219 projects at the value of $1.16 billion, today, against the backdrop of a bustling city 35 roadwork projects are actively transforming the landscape with a financial footprint reaching near $521 million. With the commitment to safety, New Orleans's infrastructure projects continue to reshape the city's arteries providing improved thoroughfares for future generations, though the immediate roadwork might well test the patience of local businesses and residents caught in the interim tumult of progress.
