New Orleans Square intersection project halfway done

The city of Broken Arrow recently issued an update on the New Orleans Square road construction project, noting that it's about halfway done. 

The contractor has completed the concrete work in the southeast corner of the intersection of New Orleans Street and Elm Place, which is part of phase 3, the city said. But they’re not ready to move on to phase 4 yet. 

Here is a video update from Broken Arrow City Manager Michael Spurgeon.

Construction began June 6 for the $4.4 million project, which city officials believe will be a key component of revitalizing the intersection. The most recent data showed the shops and stores in the New Orleans Square district are 90% full. 

The improvements include:

• Decorative concrete intersection
• Asphalt mill and overlay
• Approximately 2,400 feet of 12 inch waterline
• Approximately 2,200 feet of 5-feet wide sidewalk
• Approximately 600 feet of 10-feet wide sidewalk
• Landscaping and irrigation
• Hardscaping
• Gateways
• Streetlighting
• Traffic Signals

The new pavement configuration will include two through lanes in each direction along with dedicated left turn lanes at the intersection. Also, a dedicated right turn lane is included along northbound Elm Place for right turns onto eastbound New Orleans Street.

The proposed improvements include replacement of the interior intersection with a decorative full depth concrete pavement using colored/patterned concrete and pavers. The color scheme will include a blue medallion of the New Orleans Square logo centered in a white square with white crosswalks and borders. The blue is a unique color which will help set the intersection apart from any other.

Landscaping will be planted in the area including new trees, hedges, flowers, and plants in the median. The plants that will be selected won't require a lot of water and will be able to withstand traffic and debris.

Gateways will also be installed to alert the public it is traveling into New Orleans Square.