NOLA considers four Bourbon Street closure ideas

Last night, the New Orleans’ Department of Public Works asked for community feedback on Mayor Mitch Landrieu $40 million public safety proposal, particularly on the potential vehicular traffic closure on Bourbon Street.

The Department commissioned a study to evaluate the effects of closing vehicular traffic between the 100 and 800 blocks of Bourbon Street (Bourbon Street at Canal Street to Dumaine Street). The change may also partially affect side streets accessibility across that corridor.

The Department held four public meeting to obtain feedback on potential ways to circumvent the traffic flow from the popular French Quarter street. Primarily, the Department is concerned about emergency service and delivery vehicle access, off-street parking, and home and business driveway access on and near the affected streets.

The city will release a proposed change affecting Bourbon Street later this year. In the time being, the city has four conceptual idea.

• The first is to partially close Bourbon Street for short periods of time, keeping side street access open.
• The second is to partially close Bourbon Street, closing side street access.
• The third is to close Bourbon Street most of the time and side street access.
• The final conception is to close bourbon streets and to have access through major side streets.

Although not finalized, it is possible for the 100 to 800 blocks of Bourbon Street to be converted into a pedestrian mall, removing non-emergency vehicular access completely.

According to a Department of Public Works representative at the community member, the department is concerned about the growing number of vehicle induced incident and public safety of civilians in the Bourbon Street corridor.

Mayor Landrieu announced the 2017 public safety investments this past January. In the report, Landrieu suggests the installation of 200 high definition camera, a 24/7 command center, and hardening street infrastructure on Bourbon Street.

Public safety concerns on Bourbon Street rose to the forefront after November’s Bourbon Street shooting that injured 10 people.

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