The lighting project on the Crescent City Connection is moving along on schedule. However, traffic impacts from this project, as well as other road work across the city, have left traffic at a standstill.
On Wednesday morning, traffic impacts could be felt around the city just hours after the CCC tested red lights on the bridge Tuesday evening. rubber cable hump
Drivers saw a different color red Wednesday morning – brake lights from the West Bank to the East Bank.
A wreck on Interstate 10, the CCC traffic, plus ongoing traffic projects across the Central Business District caused a traffic trifecta during peak commute hours.
According to the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, the $21 million decorative lighting project should be completed by late 2024 or early 2025.
The permanent left-lane closures and Magazine Street on-ramp closure should end by Aug. 31, which should alleviate some of the interstate traffic problems during peak commute times, according to DOTD.
WDSU also reached out to the City of New Orleans about when the ongoing construction in downtown and in the CBD will be completed.
The city provided the following statement and timelines for the ongoing roadwork:
"The City continues to push towards progress. We hope residents will understand the short-term pain in that progress. The almost $40 million in Super Bowl improvements will last decades. As we move forward, we will continue to work with all stakeholders and residents. This major investment in the city we love will be worth every second of frustration."
Poydras (S. Claiborne to S. Liberty)
Scope: Roadway removal and replacement, re-striping, sidewalk repairs, installation of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant ramps, and driveway apron repairs
Lakebound: All street work and sidewalk repairs are substantially complete. Crews are currently removing and replacing the turning lanes at Clara St. and working on a small section of the parking lane at 1515 Poydras St.
Riverbound: Crews are working in the left travel and turning lanes between Claiborne and Lasalle. Where possible, two lanes of traffic have been reopened. This week, crews continued working at the intersection of Poydras and Lasalle, where the Sewerage and Water Board (SWB) recently repaired a 36-inch waterline.
All work, excluding roadway striping in both the riverbound and lakebound directions, is set to be completed by the end of next week, with traffic fully reopened by then.
Poydras (S. Liberty to Convention Center Blvd.)
Scope: Patching, milling, and resurfacing the street, re-striping, sidewalk repairs, installation of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-compliant ramps where needed, and driveway apron repairs
Daytime Operations: Roadway patching is steadily progressing during the day, with two lanes of traffic kept open. To minimize traffic disruptions, crews will focus on the lakebound lanes during morning rush hour and the riverbound lanes during evening rush hour whenever possible. We are working closely with the contractor to ensure that all barricades and cones are removed at the end of each day, fully reopening the street to traffic.
Nighttime Operations: Milling and overlay work continues from Monday through Friday, 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. Crews have completed milling the inside and middle travel lanes in both directions and will begin paving the inside travel lane tonight. Next week, crews will continue paving the left travel lane. For full details on nighttime traffic impacts, please view the traffic advisory here.
All construction along Poydras Street (S. Liberty – Convention Center Blvd.) is on track for completion by October 2024.
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