New Orleans road closures, traffic restrictions slated ahead of Super Bowl

Jan. 29, 2013

3 min read

Drivers traveling through the Central Business District of New Orleans near the Mercedes-Benz Superdome should be prepared to face another set of road closures as the city prepares to host Super Bowl XLVII.

Beginning last Saturday, the city closed river-bound Poydras Street between South Claiborne Avenue and LaSalle Street. Additionally, exit 234B from eastbound Interstate 10 is closed. Lake-bound Poydras Street will remain open.

The City of New Orleans recommends using the following detours:

From the East — If you're traveling from the east heading toward downtown, the Superdome Exit will be closed. It’s recommended drivers continue on I-10E/US90 Pontchartrain Expressway and take the Loyola exit.
From the West — If you’re traveling from the west heading toward downtown, the Superdome Exit will be closed. It’s recommended drivers continue on I-10E/US90 Pontchartrain Expressway and take the Loyola exit.
U.S.90 S. Claiborne toward Downtown — If you’re traveling on U.S.90 S. Claiborne toward downtown, the Poydras Street exit will be closed. It’s recommended drivers continue on to N. Claiborne and turn right on Canal Street exit.

Additional traffic restrictions will be implemented as game day nears.

Beginning Wednesday, Jan. 30 through Monday, Feb. 4 a portion of exterior streets will be closed to most traffic in the French Quarter from 7p.m. to 7a.m. Only residents and business owners and customers will be allowed to enter during those times. In addition, a portion of interior streets will be closed to all traffic. Only emergency vehicles will be allowed to enter during those times.

Beginning Friday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. through Monday, Feb. 4 at 7a.m. the traffic restrictions will intensify. Streets surrounding the Mercedes-Benz Superdome and in the immediate area will close as officials set up a security perimeter.

To avoid closures, the city recommends:

From the East —If you’re traveling from the east heading toward downtown, take the Canal Street Exit.
From the West — If you’re traveling from the west heading toward downtown, the Superdome Exit will be closed. The city suggests drivers continue on I-10E/US90 Pontchartrain Expressway and take the Loyola exit. The Claiborne Avenue exit near the Mercedes-Benz Superdome will also be open.

On Sunday Feb. 3, game day, the area immediately surrounding the Mercedes-Benz Superdome will be a no-drive zone. Drivers who need to access the area will be able to take the Loyola exit from the Pontchartrain Expressway or the Vieux Carre or Esplanade exits from I-10 East. All lanes of Poydras Street will be closed from St. Charles Avenue to S. Galvez Street and portions of Loyola Avenue, Lasalle Street, Girod Street, Freret Street, South Robertson Street, Magnolia Street and Clara Street near the dome and arena will be closed. Streets on the downtown side of Tulane Avenue and the river side of Rampart Street will be the best option for drivers.

More information about street closures can be found at www.nola.gov/superbowl.