A heads up for those of you planning on going to the French Quarter for Carnival and Mardi Gras celebrations: you'll need your walking shoes to get there.
Starting Friday night, cars won't be allowed in the Vieux Carré as partiers flock to the historic district to take in the festivities. That means only foot traffic will be allowed in the French Quarter until Ash Wednesday. The French Quarter street closure affects Bourbon Street between Canal and Dumaine Streets and all of the streets that cross Bourbon within that stretch.
"The interior closure will be for 24 hours starting February 27 until 5 a.m. on February 22nd," NOPD Superintendent Michelle Woodfork said during a media briefing, adding that the NOPD will get assistance from the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office, Louisiana State Police, and the Department of Homeland Security to secure the quarter and keep revelers safe.
"We'll also have light towers placed throughout the French Quarter and downtown area along the parade routes," Woodfork noted. With these enhanced deployment strategies and equipment, we believe we can have another safe and successful Mardi Gras season."
According to Anna Nguyen with the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, federal authorities will deploy security measures of their own, including eyes in the sky.
"We're also receiving tactical federal law enforcement assistance in the French Quarter behind the parade route, on the riverfront, and along the river," Nguyen said. "We'll also be having federal aviation assets in the air over the parade routes and in the French Quarter."
