JEFFERSON PARISH, La. — If you drive down Bonnabel Blvd. in Metairie, you'll find that homes are decorated, barricades are on standby, portable toilets are out and tree branches are bracing for more beads.
But you'll also find a construction zone.
With less than two days until parades roll through Metairie, work along Bonnabel Blvd. bike path remains undone.
Bonnabel residents, Bob McMann and Christine Tamburello, have watched the progress.
“Well, they got the paving done. Obviously, it started at the lakeside, and they’ve been working toward Metairie Road. They have the poles up almost all the way to Veterans now. And they have the lights on the poles to the next intersection here so they’re making reasonable progress I think," McMann said. “I don’t think it will be done before the weekend. Maybe to Veterans but certainly not on the other side of Veterans.”
“You know I have hope, but even then, I think it’s going to be a great thing when it is done. Even if it’s not done in time, it’s still going to be worth the wait," Tamburello said.
The District's Councilman, Hans Liljeberg, said all the light poles are in from West Esplanade to Veterans – which covers the area Metairie parades will roll.
However, the lights won't shine until after Mardi Gras, but the route will be hazard free and ready for families to enjoy, Liljeberg said.
Residents said they're looking forward to the lights.
“It’s going to make it a lot safer," Tamburello said.
Councilmembers estimate the project will be complete between March and April.
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