Seven years ago, New Orleans officials began installing adjustable barriers in the French Quarter to prevent vehicles from entering the tourist area. However, the steel columns known as bollards were being replaced and were not engaged on New Year’s Day when a motorist drove a truck through a crowd of revelers, killing at least 15 people. City records show that the project to remove and replace the bollards along eight blocks of Bourbon Street began in November. Temporary asphalt patches were installed in the spots where the steel columns were removed, but it is uncertain if the intersection the truck sped through was actively under construction.
Some of the old bollards were unreliable and non-operational, leading the city to use white gate barriers managed by the New Orleans Police Department for safety purposes. The day before New Year’s Eve, officials issued a traffic advisory regarding the vehicle barrier replacement project and tried to minimize road closures during the celebration. The intersection of Bourbon and Canal where the incident occurred is under investigation by the FBI as an act of terrorism, as the driver was shot by police.
Cities around the world have been installing bollards in pedestrian-heavy areas to prevent vehicle attacks. New Orleans had initially installed bollards in 2017 as part of a $40 million safety plan, with four sets of barriers placed at Bourbon Street intersections. The ongoing replacement project involves removing old bollards and replacing them with stainless-steel bollards. The project also includes sidewalk repairs at various locations in preparation for the city hosting the Super Bowl in early 2025.
Louisiana Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser emphasized the importance of examining safety measures following the New Year’s Day tragedy, acknowledging that while preventing such incidents completely may be difficult, it is crucial to be proactive in ensuring public safety. The bollard system in New Orleans was designed to mitigate risks to pedestrians in high-traffic areas, and the ongoing project aims to enhance security in the French Quarter. The city is conducting daily inspections and testing to confirm the required material strength has been achieved.
The Bourbon Street Bollard Assessment and Replacement Project is focused on improving safety measures in the French Quarter, with work including concrete pouring and sidewalk repairs. The city officials are working on replacing the old bollards with new stainless-steel bollards, with 11 of the 16 locations already replaced. Despite the tragic incident on New Year’s Day, the city remains committed to enhancing security measures and ensuring public safety in the popular tourist area. The project is scheduled to be completed by early 2025 in preparation for hosting major events such as the Super Bowl.
