LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) -- Motorists in Lafayette are about to be reminded of one of the downsides to Carnival season.
The Lafayette Consolidated Government has announced in a news release that barricades are going up along the city's parade route starting at 8 a.m. Thursday.
"Motorists are asked to use alternate routes when possible, allow extra time to get to their destinations, and exercise additional caution and patience while crews are on the roadways," the release read.
Here is a timeline for this weekend's street preparations for Mardi Gras parades:
Thursday, Feb. 1
- 8 a.m. – Public Works crews will begin placing barricades at the start of the parade route (Downtown area), starting 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 Street and North College Road, near the Albertson’s shopping center, then along North College Road to Cajun Field at Gate 1 at Reinhardt Drive, headed toward Congress Street. Barricades will be placed to allow for “turning lanes” and major cross-overs along Johnston Street and North College Road.
- 7 p.m. – Krewe de Canailles Parade – Takes place in Downtown Lafayette.
Saturday, Feb. 3
- 6:30 p.m. – 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.
- Noon – Krewe des Chiens – Takes place in Downtown Lafayette beginning at Parc Putnam and ending at Johnston and Vermilion Streets.
- 6:30 p.m. – Krewe of Carnivale en Rio Parade – Scheduled beginning at the intersection of Jefferson and Simcoe Streets, then along the parade route before turning into Cajun Field at Gate 1.
The Lafayette Police Department will close all streets on and around the parade route one hour before the parades begin. All streets will remain closed until the completion of the last parade. No streets will be open until all citizens have been removed from the area and vehicles are able to travel safely.
Public Works will follow a similar barricade placement schedule starting again on Feb. 8 for the parades leading up to and including Mardi Gras day:
Thursday, Feb. 8
- 8 a.m. – Public Works crews will begin placing barricades from the Downtown area to Johnston Street.
Thursday, Feb. 8
- 8 a.m. – Public Works crews will begin placing barricades from the Johnston Street/North College Road parade route to Cajun Field at Gate 1 entrance at Reinhardt Drive.
Friday, Feb. 9
- 6:30 p.m. – “Kick Off” Parade is scheduled to begin at the intersection of Jefferson and Simcoe Streets, then along the parade route before turning into Cajun Field at Gate 1.
Saturday, Feb. 10
- 12:30 p.m. – Children’s Parade is scheduled to begin at the intersection of Jefferson and Simcoe Streets, then along the parade route before turning into Cajun Field at Gate 1.
- 6:30 p.m. – Krewe of Bonaparte Mardi Gras Parade is scheduled 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, cleaning up litter and debris along the entire parade route. Public Works crews will NOT move the barricades to the sides of the roads, and the barricades will remain in place.
Monday, Feb. 12
- 6 p.m. – Queen Evangeline’s Parade is scheduled to begin at the intersection of Jefferson and Simcoe Streets, then along the parade route before turning into Cajun Field at Gate 1.
Tuesday, Feb. 13, Mardi Gras
All streets on and around the parade route will be closed one hour before the parades begin and will remain closed until the completion of the last parade.No streets will be open until all citizens have been removed from the area and vehicles are able to travel safely.
- 10 a.m. – King Gabriel’s Parade is scheduled to begin at the intersection of Jefferson and Simcoe Streets, then along the parade route before turning into Cajun Field at Gate 1.
- 1 p.m. – The Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival Parade is scheduled to beginfollowing King Gabriel’s Parade.
- 2:30 p.m. – The Independent Parade is scheduled to begin following the Lafayette Mardi Gras Festival Parade.
- 11 p.m. until – Public Works crews will move all remaining barricades to the sides of the roads and clean up litter and debris along the entire parade route. Motorists are asked to use alternate routes when possible, allow extra time to get to their destinations and exercise additional caution and patience while cleanup crews and public safety officers are on the roadways.
Thursday, Feb. 15 and Friday, Feb. 16, 7 a.m. – Public Works crews will remove barricades from the Mardi Gras route and return them to the Public Works yard on Dorset Ave.
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