French Quarter vendors, restaurants celebrate as fencing comes down near Jackson Square

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – A French Quarter intersection reopened Friday (March 20) after nearly nine months of construction that blocked pedestrian traffic and disrupted businesses along one of the area’s busiest corridors.

The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans replaced aging, decaying water lines that sat underground for more than 100 years at the corner of Chartres and St. Peter streets. Contractor fencing split the pedestrian corridor in two during the work.

Vendor Terri Antholzner said she has operated a flower crown cart at the intersection since 1984.

“It’s been really a struggle,” Antholzner told Fox 8 on Sunday. “People in wheelchairs having a hard time, people getting confused. It breaks up the tour groups and the flow.”

Antholzner said the reopening changed the atmosphere.

“It was so exciting when they took them down,” she said.

The reopening comes as French Quarter restaurants enter peak balcony dining season in the weeks leading up to French Quarter Fest.

Kevin Babb, general manager at Dickie Brennan’s Tableau restaurant, said the timing benefits his business, where thousands of visitors experience classic New Orleans cuisine each year.

“To be able to catch the view of all the street performers and really vibe out here with the view of Jackson Square is something really special. We’re excited to get back to business,” Babb said. “There’s never a good time for a project of this magnitude. But, in the long run, I think it will benefit all of us.”

Work continues elsewhere

The overall project is not finished. Work continues on Decatur Street from the 900-1100 blocks, with no end date set.

Construction crews experienced significant delays due to weather and a mandatory archeological preservation dig in the fall of 2025.

“It would be nice if we could get a little more … on track,” Antholzner said.

The utility expects a full reopening on St. Peters in the next six weeks.

“Six weeks? Let’s say maybe two months … New Orleans timeline,” Babb said.

The Sewerage and Water Board has faced scrutiny after at least five major water main breaks in the city in a span of six weeks.

Still, vendors and restaurant managers said even small progress is worth celebrating.

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