NEW ORLEANS – The City of New Orleans issued a traffic advisory to temporarily close portions of Washington Avenue and Drexel Drive in the Gert Town neighborhood near Xavier University.
The City is currently constructing an elevated pedestrian crossing over Washington Avenue, the Washington Avenue Drainage Canal and Drexel Drive.
Beginning Saturday, March 28, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. and lasting through Friday, April 3, 2015, at sunset, both the river bound and lake bound travel lanes of Washington Avenue will be closed between Short and Pine streets. The closure will allow the construction contractor to drive steel pilings for the new bridge’s landing pads, which will be located on either side of Washington Avenue. The approximate six-day traffic closure will remain in effect both day and night; however, crews will only be working from sunrise to sunset.
Beginning Saturday, March 28, 2015, at 8:00 a.m. and lasting through Sunday, April 5, 2015 at sunset, Drexel Drive will be closed between Pine and Short streets to allow the construction contractor to drive steel pilings for the new elevator tower being constructed near the north end of Xavier University. The approximate eight-day closure will remain in effect both day and night; however, crews will only be working from sunrise to sunset.
All lane closures associated with the construction of the Washington Avenue Pedestrian Bridge are being closely coordinated with Xavier University.
The approximately $3 million Washington Avenue Pedestrian Bridge project was designed by Burk Kleinpeter. The construction contract was awarded to Command Construction. Construction began late in 2014 and is scheduled to last through 2015.
Residents should exercise caution when driving, bicycling, or walking near active construction sites.
