(Photo: Courtesy of RoadworkNOLA)
An infrastructure upgrade planned for a two-block section of Conti Street in the French Quarter began on Monday and is expected to last until the end of the year, with construction crews beginning work to upgrade underground utilities and make roadway improvements.
Crews from Hard Rock Construction began erecting fences along the 700 block of Conti Street at about 8 a.m., closing the block to vehicular traffic between Bourbon and Royal streets, to start work on “improving the overall quality of life” that will include fixing water and sewer lines, electrical duct banks; and replacing gas lines, sidewalks and pavement, according to New Orleans officials, adding the work will occur along Conti between Bourbon and Chartres streets.
Additionally, Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps will be installed at intersections and at a mid-block crossing at Exchange Place, low-pressure gas lines will be replaced with high-pressure ones and bollards the length of the block will be installed on the Esplanade Avenue side of the Supreme Court building.
“We are very excited to begin this much-needed project and to improve upon the great work that was done with the Bourbon Phase 2 project,” said Ramsey Green, deputy chief administrative officer for infrastructure. “And we are approaching this project with safety, accessibility and comfort in mind. As we continue, we look forward to learning from both residents and businesses alike to ensure our work enhances the beauty of the French Quarter and creates an overall healthier environment.”
The project is expected to cost $4.3 million and was coordinated by the Department of Public Works and the Sewerage and Water Board, and other city officials.
Hard Rock crews will continue with a seven-day work week from 8 a.m. until sunset each day. Once construction is completed in the 700 block of Conti Street, the fence will be removed and work will begin on sidewalks, according to officials.
When all construction has been completed in the 700 block of Conti Street and Entergy Gas/Entergy Electric crews have wrapped up their upgrades in the 600 block of Conti Street, Hard Rock crews will shift their operations into the 600 block roadway between Royal and Chartres streets.
Several closures will take place.
The 700 block of Conti Street will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning at 8 a.m. on Monday and remained closed through the duration of construction along this block, which is anticipated to end in June 2021, according to city officials.
Commuters are advised to detour from Bourbon Street onto Toulouse Street and then onto Royal Street. All businesses will remain open and accessible throughout construction.
The 600 block of Conti Street will be intermittently closed to vehicular traffic daily while Entergy Gas and Entergy Electric crews upgrade their utilities. Intermittent closures will continue through the duration of the project.
During the day, commuters are advised to detour from Bourbon Street onto Toulouse Street and then onto Decatur Street. The 600 block will reopen to vehicular traffic each night.
The 300 block of Chartres Street will be closed to vehicular traffic each day during Entergy’s work at the intersection of Conti Street. During the day, commuters are advised to detour from Bienville Street onto Bourbon Street onto Toulouse Street and then onto Decatur Street. The 300 block will reopen to vehicular traffic each night.
At some point during the project, the intersection of Royal and Conti streets will be closed to accommodate utility upgrades, according to officials, adding a traffic advisory will be sent ahead of that closure.
Project members incorporated lessons from the Bourbon Street Phase 2 project, including exploratory trenching; storing construction supplies offsite, outside of the French Quarter, which may bring more delivery traffic; permitting only 10 contractor vehicles near the construction site and all other vehicles parked outside of the French Quarter; and Entergy working in advance of the project to minimize conflict.
The project was designed by Mott McDonald, LLC and partners include Cox Communications and AT&T.
Questions about this project or our Capital Improvement Program should be directed to 504-658-7623 or roadwork@nola.gov.