With Mardi Gras fast approaching, this is the week that Lafayette Consolidated Government employees will put up barricades along the parade route.

During the first 3 days of February (Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week), barricades will be placed to allow for "turning lanes" and major crossovers along Johnston Street and N. College Road.

  • Thursday, Feb. 1, 8 a.m. – Public Works crews will commence placing barricades at the start of the parade route beginning at the intersection of Jefferson and Simcoe Streets, then along the parade route to the intersection of Johnston and Vermilion Streets.
  • Friday, Feb. 2, 8 a.m. – Public Works crews will resume placing barricades from the intersection of Johnston and Vermilion Streets along the parade route to the intersection of Johnston St. and N. College Rd., near the Albertson’s shopping center, then along N. College Rd. to Cajun Field at Gate 1 at Reinhardt Dr., headed towards Congress St.
  • Saturday, Feb. 3, 6:30 p.m. - The Krewe of Carnival en Rio Parade is scheduled to roll beginning at the intersection of Jefferson and Simcoe Streets, then along the parade route before turning into Cajun Field at Gate 1. Public Works crews will immediately follow the last float, moving barricades to the sides of the roads and cleaning up litter and debris along the entire parade route.

5,000 barricades will be placed along the parade route, which is 3.9 miles in length. Also, Public Works will have eight 30-yard roll-off dumpsters for trash and debris removal and 122 portable toilets along the parade route.

Leading up to the Mardi Gras parade, drivers are asked to use alternate routes when possible and plan extra time to get to where you are going.

About 1 hour before the parades begin, Lafayette Police will close all street on and around the parade route. It will stay this way until the last parade is completed and until all citizens have left the area and vehicles are able to travel safely.

For more Lafayette Mardi Gras information, including City of Lafayette parade routes and continuous updates visit http://www.lafayettela.gov/mardigras/Pages/default.aspx.

Additional information and safety tips provided by the Lafayette Police Department can be found at http://www.lafayettela.gov/MardiGras/Pages/LPD-Safety-Tips.aspx.

A complete listing of Lafayette Parish Mardi Gras parades can be located at http://lafayettetravel.com/Mardi-Gras.

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