Construction: Always Under Construction, Never Quite Finished

Always Under Construction, Never Quite Finished

In New Orleans, our foundations are always having to be rebuilt. Improvements to drain the rain water and to keep us from sinking are constant. The city exists in a state of perpetual construction — a rolling renovation project that has been "almost done" since approximately 1718. No matter where you go, one must add 20 minutes to their travel estimate, taking into account 10 blocked lanes and 30 school zones along the way.

The reasons are geological, infrastructural, and bureaucratic. The soft, shifting soil means that roads, pipes, and foundations deteriorate faster than in cities built on bedrock. The drainage system that keeps the city from flooding requires constant maintenance. And the pace of municipal construction in New Orleans operates on a timeline that would make a glacier impatient — projects that other cities complete in months take years here, accompanied by orange cones, metal plates, and lane closures that become semi-permanent features of the landscape.

The Orange Cone Lifestyle

New Orleanians navigate construction zones with the skill of rally drivers and the vocabulary of longshoremen. You learn the detours. You memorize which streets are currently torn up and which have been recently repaved (enjoy them while they last). You develop a sixth sense for which metal plates are stable and which ones will send your car's suspension into therapy.

The most maddening aspect of New Orleans construction isn't the work itself — infrastructure needs maintaining, everyone understands that. It's the pacing. A project begins. The street is torn up. Workers appear. Workers disappear. Weeks pass. The torn-up street remains torn up. More weeks pass. Different workers appear. They look at the torn-up street. They leave. Eventually, the street gets fixed, just in time for the next block to be torn up. It's a relay race where the baton is a jackhammer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Construction in New Orleans

Why is there always construction in New Orleans?

Soft, shifting soil causes constant infrastructure deterioration. The drainage system requires ongoing maintenance. Aging water, sewer, and road systems need continuous repair and replacement.

How much time should I add for construction delays?

Locals recommend adding at least 20 minutes to any drive across town. During major projects, double that.