City begins to close roads in preparation for Super Bowl XLVII

On Saturday, January 5, commuters and visitors to the downtown New Orleans area began to see several roads and an exit near the Mercedes-Benz Superdome closed as workers begin to assemble equipment in the area in anticipation of next month’s Super Bowl game and festivities. The first round of road closures include Dave Dixon Drive, Magnolia Avenue, West Stadium Drive, Howard Avenue and Sugar Bowl Drive. The Super Dome exit from the Pontchartrain Expressway was also closed.

City officials say traffic restrictions will intensify moving closer to the Super Bowl and on game day, February 3, 2013. Parking will be extremely limited throughout the Mardi Gras and Super Bowl festivities. Visitors are encouraged to utilize public transportation whenever possible.

Mayor Mitch Landrieu and city officials first announced the upcoming road closures on December 11 during a press conference held prior to the Super Bowl Host Committee’s media luncheon.

The traffic plan, including the initial maps for each date and time period, is available online at www.nola.gov/superbowl. The plan details initial road closures and suggested routes for commuters and tourists traveling in and out of the downtown, riverside and French Quarter areas of the city during the weeks leading up to the Super Bowl and on game day.

This article was originally published in the January 7, 2013 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper