NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — Ahead of the Essence Festival of Culture, New Orleans city officials are preparing drivers for the traffic delays expected in the city.
Several visitors and residents will be heading into the Big Easy to see performances by Janet Jackson, Tank and The Bangas, Charlie Wilson, Victoria Monét, SWV, The Roots and more.
Officials with ASM Global said anyone headed to the Caesars Superdome can expect traffic when entering and exiting the city due to the ongoing construction on Poydras Street.
Along Poydras Street are lane restrictions between Clara Street and Loyola Avenue and will have a major impact on the nightly concerts that run from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. July 6 to July 8.
The Caesars Superdome has partnered with the New Orleans Police Department to manage the traffic flow with hopes of minimizing congestion.
As a way of trying to reduce the amount of traffic, the NOPD issued several vehicle restrictions and street closures for the holiday weekend.
According to the NOPD, from 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Friday, July 5 through Sunday, July 7, public safety officials will search vehicles that enter the French Quarter in the perimeter of Canal, Decatur, Dumaine and Rampart streets. The only people who will be able to drive in those restricted areas are residents, hotel employees and guests and ride hailing services.
On the Fourth of July from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., the NOPD said that traffic will not be allowed on the following streets:
- Canal Street from Lasalle Street to Convention Center Boulevard
- Poydras St. from Loyola Ave. to Convention Center Blvd.
- Convention Center Blvd from Julia St. to Poydras St.
- Loyola Ave. from Canal St. to Girod St.
- Common St. from Roosevelt Way to S. Peters. St. (only streets going to Canal St.)
- Decatur St. from Dumaine St. to Iberville St.
- North Peters St. from Conti St. to Canal St.
- Dauphine St. from Canal St. to St. Ann St. (only streets going to Bourbon St.)
- Royal St. from Canal St. to St. Ann St. (only streets going to Bourbon St.)
Additionally, the NOPD will enforce parking restrictions on certain streets. From 2 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Thursday, July 4, parking will not be allowed in the 700 and 800 blocks of St. Ann, Orleans, St. Peter, Toulouse, St. Louis, Conti, Bienville and Iberville Streets, both sides of Decatur Street from Conti Street to Dumaine Street and both sides of North Peters Street from Conti Street to Canal Street.
From 12 p.m. to 6 a.m. on Thursday, July 4 through Sunday, July 7, parking will not be allowed on the 700 and 800 blocks of St. Ann, Orleans, St. Peter, Toulouse, St. Louis, Conti, Bienville and Iberville Streets.
According to the NOPD, vehicles will not be allowed to park on both sides of Canal Street, Decatur Street from Dumaine Street to St. Louis Street and on both sides of North Peters Street.
For more information about traffic surrounding Essence, visit the event website.
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