City Issues Traffic Advisories For Gert Town, Garden District

NEW ORLEANS – The City of New Orleans issued a traffic advisory to temporarily close a portion of Drexel Drive and Washington Avenue in Gert Town near Xavier University. The City is currently constructing an elevated pedestrian bridge over Washington Avenue, the Washington Avenue Drainage Canal and Drexel Drive.

         On Tuesday, October 13, 2015, Drexel Drive between South Carrollton and Short streets will be closed to traffic between 3:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. The closure will allow the construction contractor to pour the concrete deck portion of the elevated pedestrian bridge over Drexel Drive.

         On Wednesday, October 14, 2015, Washington Avenue between South Carrollton and Short streets will be closed to through traffic between 3:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. The closure will allow the construction contract to pour the concrete deck portion of the elevated pedestrian bridge over Washington Avenue.

         All lane closures associated with the construction of the Washington Avenue Pedestrian Bridge are being closely coordinated with Xavier University.

         The approximately $3 million Washington Avenue Pedestrian Bridge project was designed by Burk Kleinpeter. The construction contract was awarded to Command Construction. Construction began late in 2014 and is scheduled to last through 2015.

         Residents should exercise caution when driving, bicycling or walking near active construction sites.

         The City of New Orleans also issued a traffic notice for the Garden District.

         On Wednesday, October 14, 2015, at approximately 9:00 a.m., the road segment of Camp Street between Louisiana Avenue and Washington Avenue will be converted from its current two-way directional status to one-way operation in the downtown bound direction (from Louisiana Avenue toward Washington Avenue) for the 2800-3300 blocks of Camp Street.

         This trial modification will be enacted to alleviate residents’ concerns about the width of the street and its ability to safely handle two-way traffic. A survey was mailed to nearby residents asking for feedback on the proposed traffic change. Eighty-seven percent of the respondents were in favor of the change to one-way traffic.

         In order to improve traffic flow in the neighborhood, the City will post signs designating this segment of road as one-way. This conversion is being done a six month trial basis. During that time, the City of New Orleans Department of Public Works (DPW) will monitor the effects of the change before a final determination is made.