City of New Orleans officials warn motorists that the traffic impacts normally seen on the final weekend of the Carnival season could be present on the first weekend this year as parades roll in the city during NBA All-Star game-related activities.
“We have the great privilege of hosting this year’s NBA All Star Game, along with our normal Mardi Gras activities,” said Mayor Landrieu...adding that residents "should expect as heavy of traffic impacts for the first weekend of Mardi Gras as we usually have for the second."
"We are grateful to our public safety partners who will be providing enhanced coverage for both weekends this year.”
The NOPD will have officers staffed at 100% capacity throughout the city during the 2017 Mardi Gras season. They will be complemented by officers from the Louisiana State Police as well as officers from other public safety agencies. The New Orleans Fire Department and New Orleans Emergency Medical Services will also have all hands on deck and be ready to respond in the event of an emergency.
The Landrieu administration says it has been working for months on ways to increase security and protect citizens from large, terrorist-like attacks. The City will increase security measures throughout the French Quarter and other sensitive targets in the City throughout the 2017 All Star Weekend and Mardi Gras festivities.
The NOPD will implement an exterior (soft) and an interior (hard) closure for the French Quarter for the Carnival Season.
Beginning Friday, Feb. 17 through Sunday, Feb. 19 and Wednesday, Feb. 22 until the Wednesday after Mardi Gras, March 1, at 6 a.m., vehicular access in the French Quarter will be more restricted and on-street parking will be limited.