The 30th annual ESSENCE Festival of Culture is here! The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and the Caesars Superdome will be in the center of the crosshairs, where crowds, cars and construction will all meet as more than 500,000 people embark upon the city of New Orleans this weekend, taking in the food, fun, fellowship and, of course, the music!Ongoing road work on Poydras Street near the Superdome is wrapping up, but construction is still ongoing in the Central Business District, specifically on Julia Street from Convention Center Boulevard to Loyola.New Orleans Police Department and Louisiana State Police will restrict traffic in certain areas to ensure the safety of pedestrians."I am so tickled and delighted to be experiencing my first ESSENCE. We will be out there on every block making sure that people feel comfortable," says NOPD Superintendent Anne Kirkpatrick.Traffic is expected to increase as the weekend progresses, partially because of some high-profile guests like Vice President Kamala Harris, who will be traveling to New Orleans on Friday, July 5, and speaking at the convention center. So expect interstate and street closures between the airport and downtown upon her arrival.Intermittent street closures may occur based on crowd size. Drivers should note:From 4 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, only residents, employees, hotel guests, taxis and ride-hailing services can enter the French Quarter within the perimeter of Canal, Decatur, Dumaine, and Rampart streets.From 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on July 4, no traffic will be allowed on Canal Street (Lasalle Street to Convention Center Boulevard), Poydras Street (Loyola Avenue to Convention Center Boulevard), Convention Center Boulevard (Julia Street to Poydras Street), Loyola Avenue (Canal Street to Girod Street), Common Street (Roosevelt Way to South Peters Street), Decatur Street (Dumaine Street to Iberville Street), North Peters Street (Conti Street to Canal Street), Dauphine Street (Canal Street to St. Ann Street), and Royal Street (Canal Street to St. Ann Street).From 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Bourbon Street from Canal to Dumaine streets and the 700-800 blocks of St. Ann, Orleans, St. Peter, Toulouse, St. Louis, Conti, Bienville, and Iberville streets will be closed to all traffic.Additional restrictions will apply from July 5 to July 6, including limited access near Canal Street and Poydras Street.There will also be parking restrictions. No parking will be allowed:From 2 p.m. to 4 a.m. on July 4: 700-800 blocks of various streets and Decatur Street (Conti to Dumaine) and North Peters Street (Conti to Canal).From noon to 6 a.m. on Friday, Saturday and Sunday: 700-800 blocks of various streets.From 5 p.m. on July 4 to 6 a.m. on July 8: Canal Street (Claiborne Avenue to Convention Center Boulevard), Decatur Street (Dumaine to St. Louis) and North Peters Street (St. Louis to Canal).Illegal parking, such as blocking hydrants or driveways, will be monitored. For 24-hour parking enforcement, call 504-658-8100.Residents and visitors are urged to stay vigilant in large crowds and report any suspicious activity to public safety officials or call 911.