Mayor LaToya Cantrell | City of New Orleans website
Mayor LaToya Cantrell | City of New Orleans website
NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans today announced the public safety preparations underway in advance of the Essence Festival of Culture and Fourth of July events. The public is encouraged to be patient and prepared for heavy vehicular and pedestrian traffic in the event areas around downtown and the French Quarter by making transportation arrangements accordingly. The Essence and Fourth of July weekend of events are expected to bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to New Orleans beginning Thursday, June 29 through Tuesday, July 4.
“Our public safety officials and partners are ready for the return of the Essence Festival of Culture and Go Fourth on the River right here in New Orleans,” said Mayor Cantrell. “Even though we anticipate a large turnout, we still want to ensure that this Essence Fest and Fourth of July weekend will be a safe one, especially considering the National Weather Service’s excessive heat warning impacting our area through July 4. We reaffirm our commitment and want to assure everyone traveling to New Orleans that our city is a safe, welcoming haven, and public safety remains a top priority.”
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued an Excessive Heat Warning in the New Orleans area. The weather forecast indicates that high humidity levels will result in heat index values – that is, temperatures that “feel like” – up to 120 degrees through Tuesday, July 4. These hot temperatures can become life-threatening if the proper precautions are not taken.
Residents and visitors can visit weatherwise.nola.gov/ to find localized updates on weather conditions when considering outdoor activities. Earlier this month, the City of New Orleans launched the NOLA Ready Heat Relief Map, which can be found at ready.nola.gov. This interactive map lists free, indoor air-conditioned locations for the general public. Businesses or organizations that are willing to act as a free community cooling site should email ready@nola.gov with the address, dates and hours to be added to the map.
On Tuesday, July 4, the annual Go Fourth on the River live performances and fireworks display will take place in New Orleans along the Mississippi Riverfront at 9 p.m. The New Orleans Fire Department (NOFD) reminds residents that the discharging of consumer fireworks in Orleans Parish is prohibited. The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a public display conducted by trained professionals. Details are available at go4thontheriver.com/events.
Traffic Restrictions
In anticipation of large crowds, the New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) and the Louisiana State Police (LSP) will restrict traffic to ensure the safety of pedestrians. Additional intermittent street closures might be required as crowd size warrants.
Vehicles should be made aware that they will not be able to cross Bourbon Street. All streets starting with Dumaine Street toward Esplanade Avenue will be open to cross Bourbon Street.
FRENCH QUARTER CLOSURES
Vehicles Limited
From 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. overnight Friday, Saturday and Sunday, public safety officials will screen vehicles entering the French Quarter within the perimeter of Canal, Decatur, Dumaine and Rampart streets. Only residents, employees, hotel guests and taxis or ride hailing services will be allowed to drive vehicles into the French Quarter.
No Vehicles Allowed
From 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. overnight Friday, Saturday and Sunday, public safety officials will close Bourbon Street from Canal to Dumaine streets and the 700 and 800 blocks of St. Ann, Orleans, St. Peter, Toulouse, St. Louis, Conti, Bienville and Iberville streets to all traffic.
All streets leading into the French Quarter on the following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic:
- Canal Street
- N. Rampart Street
- Dumaine Street
- Decatur Street
From 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. overnight Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, and from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. overnight Tuesday, July 4, public safety officials will close Bourbon Street from Canal to Dumaine streets and the 700 and 800 blocks of St. Ann, Orleans, St. Peter, Toulouse, St. Louis, Conti, Bienville and Iberville streets to all traffic.
Parking Restrictions
NO PARKING ZONES
From 2 p.m. to 4 a.m. overnight Friday, Saturday and Sunday, no parking will be allowed on the following streets:
- 700-800 blocks of St. Ann, Orleans, St. Peter, Toulouse, St. Louis, Conti, Bienville and Iberville Streets
- Canal Street, both sides, from Claiborne Avenue to Convention Center Boulevard
From 2 p.m. to 4 a.m. overnight Tuesday, July 4, no parking will be allowed on the following streets:
- 700-800 blocks of St. Ann, Orleans, St. Peter, Toulouse, St. Louis, Conti, Bienville and Iberville Streets
- Decatur Street from Conti Street to Dumaine Street - both sides
- North Peters Street from Conti Street to Canal Street - both sides
Additional parking restrictions may be implemented as necessary. Always follow posted signs. Parking enforcement personnel will be monitoring for illegal parking.
- Do not block hydrants, driveways and sidewalks
- Do not park within 20 feet of a crosswalk, intersection, or stop sign
- Park in the direction of travel on one-way streets and with the right wheel to the curb on two-way streets
- Call (504) 658-8100 for 24-hour parking enforcement
As always during major special events, residents and visitors are encouraged to take care in large crowds and to report suspicious activity to public safety officials.
Details on special events are available at ready.nola.gov/events. Residents and visitors are also encouraged to follow NOLA Ready on social media @nolaready and sign up for emergency alerts. Residents should text NOLAEVENTS to 77295 for special event updates.
Original source can be found here.
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