Final traffic controls coming for New Orleans Square street project

Source: City of Broken Arrow

The final traffic control operations of the New Orleans Street and Elm Place Intersection and Streetscapes Improvements project will take effect in late April into May to close out the roadway portion of the construction work.

City staff presented the upcoming traffic plan to the Broken Arrow City Council during the governing body’s meeting on Tuesday, April 18.

The final phase of the roadway portion of the project includes the resurfacing of New Orleans Street and Elm Place as those streets lead up to the intersection. The pavement operation includes removing the top two inches of the existing roadway and replacing it with new asphalt. These improvements will eliminate the bumpy, uneven surfaces and create a smoother driving experience.

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To complete the resurfacing work, and ensure the safety of the construction crew, left turns will be temporarily restricted during this process. It is expected to begin around May 1 and take approximately three weeks to complete, pending weather and any unforeseen conditions.

During this time, traffic will be shifted to one side of the roadway, where left turns will be limited, for the crew to work on the two lanes on the opposite side. Drivers are encouraged to follow the directions on the traffic signs that will be placed in the roadway during the resurfacing phase.

“It’s amazing how the public has worked with us going through this intersection, the merchants, everybody,” said Kenneth Schwab, Assistant City Manager, City of Broken Arrow. “Growing pains are rough but everybody has worked with us, and I just want to thank the public.”

During its meeting on April 4, the City Council approved additional improvements that included sidewalk repairs and extending the amount of the roadway surface that would be upgraded. The resurfacing will extend:

• Farther north on Elm Pl. to near the Sonic restaurant
• Farther south on Elm Pl. to near the McDonalds restaurant
• Farther west on New Orleans St. to near the Handmade bakery and café (location of the former El Chico restaurant)
• Farther east on New Orleans St. just past the Dominos restaurant

Once the resurfacing work is complete, New Orleans Street, Elm Place, and the protected left turn lanes will be striped to clearly mark the flow of traffic.

“It’s going to be awesome when it’s all done. It’ll be nice and smooth and no potholes,” said Vice Mayor Christi Gillespie.

Following the roadway striping, the construction crew will move off the roadway and begin finishing up the amenities behind the curb, such as the street lighting, irrigation, landscaping, and gateway signage.

To learn more about the New Orleans Street and Elm Place Intersection and Streetscapes Improvements project, please visit the city website here.