NEW ORLEANS, La. – In anticipation of increased traffic volumes, divisions of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development have proactively initiated a traffic management plan for Thursday’s NFL Kickoff, when the city hosts a series of pre-game events leading up to the contest pitting the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints against the Minnesota Vikings in the Superdome.
To ensure all football fans experience the best commute to and from the game, the Crescent City Connection Division (CCCD) and the Regional Traffic Management Center (RTMC) will amend their operating hours. CCCD Marine Operations will adjust and extend operating hours for the Algiers and Gretna ferries.
The ferry servicing Algiers Point to Canal Street will run during its normal operating hours, 6 a.m.-12:15 a.m. It will close to vehicular traffic, from Algiers, at 1:00 p.m. Before the parade begins, NOPD will allow limited access traffic to the ferry landing until 5:30 p.m., on the Canal Street side only. Vehicular traffic will resume in its entirety once the parade passes and/or when the area is cleared for cars to access the ferry landing.
Extending its normal 5:30 p.m. final trip time, the Gretna Ferry will carry pedestrians to Canal Street from 6 a.m.-9 p.m. The CCCD is working diligently to have the Thomas Jefferson Ferry added as a second vessel for the Algiers to Canal Street route. The ferries will return to regular operating hours on Friday, September 10.
RTMC operators will monitor traffic throughout the day and the control room will be staffed for extended hours, until midnight or until traffic conditions subside. The Motorist Assistance Program (MAP) will also operate extended service hours Thursday evening, until midnight or until traffic conditions subside, as directed by RTMC operators.
DOTD has instructed contractors to limit or avoid construction/closures. The only scheduled closure will be at I-610 westbound, near St. Bernard Avenue, which is scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. However, in the event that traffic is diverted westbound from the Central Business District (CBD), construction will cease.
DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through all construction sites. Be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.