A $4 million rehab project begins today on Bourbon Street.
The existing pavement will be removed and underground sewer, water and drainage pipes will be replaced over the next several months.
The work will begin in the first block of Bourbon off Canal Street. The project will affect two blocks at a time, but officials say it will be staggered for every other block to make it easier for businesses to receive deliveries.
"We are looking to have new pavement on Bourbon Street to allow for positive drainage into drainage system," said the city's Public Works Director, Mark Jernigan.
City officials tell FOX 8 that no one block of Bourbon will be closed longer than 75 days.
One restaurant manager told FOX 8 he questions the timing of the project.
"I'm pretty sure it needs to be done, but the middle of summer would have been better than Jazz Fest," said George Puglia of the Creole Carre Restaurant.
"It's going to hurt business, people aren't going to be able to get to our restaurant," Puglia said.