Greetings All,

With the celebration of this year's 2009 Essence Festival, the 8th District is implementing its special event traffic plan. These traffic plans are put in place to reduce excessive vehicle traffic via joy riding that commonly occurs in the French Quarter during special events. Effective Friday July 3, 2009 throughout Sunday July 5, 2009. These street closures shall begin during those dates from 6pm-6am each day. The closures shall be from Canal St. to Dumaine St. and from N. Rampart St. to Decatur St. Please note that also due to high pedestrian traffic, there will be no access across Bourbon St. Therefore, mind the location in which you are headed. There will be no access passes for this event; however these access points will be manned to screen destinations. Please keep in mind that the main purpose of these closures is to reduce joy riding and prevent vehicle traffic from crossing the more heavily pedestrian trodden Bourbon St. area (100-800 blocks).

(NOTE) No restrictions are in place crossing Bourbon from St. Philip St. to Esplanade Ave.

We hope that you all will have a safe and enjoyable Essence Festival and a Happy 4th of July!

Sincerely,
Officer Roger Jones Jr.
8th District Quality of Life