NEW ORLEANS -- As part of the federally funded Southeast Louisiana Urban Flood Control Project (SELA), the two right eastbound lanes of General De Gaulle Drive between Florence Avenue and Indiana Street in New Orleans will be temporarily closed to traffic starting Friday, August 7, at 7:00 p.m. through Saturday, August 8, 2026, to accommodate ongoing drainage improvement construction. Following completion of that work, the two left eastbound lanes of General De Gaulle Drive between Georgia Street and Indiana Street will also be temporarily closed from Saturday, August 8, through no later than 6:00 a.m. Monday, August 10.
The temporary closure is necessary to allow crews to safely complete critical drainage infrastructure improvements that will enhance the area's stormwater management system. Motorists are encouraged to use caution when traveling through the work zone, allow extra travel time, and follow all posted traffic control devices and directional signage.
The SELA project reduces the risk of flood damages due to rainfall flooding in Orleans, Jefferson and St. Tammany parishes. The improvements generally support the parishes’ master drainage plans and provides flood risk reduction up to a level associated with a 10-year rainfall event. A 10-year rainfall event is a rainstorm that has a 10% annual probability of occurrence and equates to approximately nine inches of rain over a 24-hour period for our area.
For more information on the SELA project:
• Construction Hotline: (877) 427-0345
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/usacenola
• Website: https://www.mvn.usace.army.mil/Missions/HSDRRS/SELA/
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Release no. 26-029