The Louisiana National Guard is scheduled to end operations in New Orleans on August 24 and fully depart the city by August 31, pending the recovery of one remaining Humvee from a pothole that officials say is now providing structural support to the roadway.
The vehicle reportedly entered the pothole during a routine patrol in February and has remained there while the city determines which agency is responsible for noticing it.
National Guard engineers said the Humvee could be extracted within hours. However, city officials cautioned that removing it may disturb several layers of emergency repairs applied to previous emergency repairs.
“The vehicle is now providing structural support to the roadway,” Department of Public Works spokesperson Chip Seale explained. “At this point, removal would constitute demolition and require a permit. Leaving it there requires no paperwork at all.”
Further complicating recovery, biologists discovered a previously unknown species of blind cave salamander living beneath the Humvee. Because the pothole is its only known habitat, removing the vehicle or filling the hole could cause the species’ immediate extinction. Public Works agreed to leave the site untouched, consistent with existing policy.
The city has commissioned an outside consultant to determine whether the opening qualifies as a pothole, failed catch basin, protected habitat, or naturally occurring traffic-calming feature. Results are expected shortly after the next street improvement bond expires.
Until then, the site has been surrounded by orange barricades, allowing motorists to safely identify the exact location where they should enter oncoming traffic.
Officials said the Guard’s withdrawal will be considered complete once the Humvee is recovered, paved over, or formally incorporated into New Orleans infrastructure.