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TOMORROW, Wednesday January 8th – make your voice heard regarding two important topics being discussed by City Council  at the Joint Public Works* – Criminal Justice Committer Meeting at 12pm in the City Council Chambers (1300 Perdido Street)
 
– Grant Agreement between the United States Department of Transportation and the City (Public Works Department) for the Connecting New Orleans East for Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety and Mobility Project through the Neighborhood Access and Equity Program for five year term and $61,544,718 in funds covering 100% of the project’s cost.  Presenters: Greg Nichols, Office of Resilience and Sustainability; Daniel Jatres, Office of Resilience and Sustainability; and Jennifer Ruley, Public Works Department

This grant is the result of a feasibility study lead by the City of New Orleans and the Regional Planning Commission back in 2023 that aimed to work together to create a network of walking and biking paths to improve connections and safety in the New Orleans East Service Corridors.  The study included community meetings and mapping exercises, and the results were used to apply for the Reconnecting Communities Grant, which was awarded to the city on March of 2024.

While it is not common to have such a quick turn around from a feasibility study to securing funds, we’re excited to see such an investment in these improvements, especially after the number of fatal crashes involving people on bikes in the Service Corridors.  Show your support for this project by submitting a public comment about this grant.  While this pint in the agenda , may be a formality, is important for our Council to hear that folks support it.

 
–  Discussion to address security measures, including all barriers available to limit roadway and sidewalk access, in the wake of the recent terrorist attack.  Representatives from DPW and NOPD to present.
 
The New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street is indicative of the city falling short in its defenses against attacks by weaponization of a motor vehicle in places of our highest pedestrian activity – the places that deserve the highest level of protection. Bike Easy and the New Orleans Complete Streets Coalition have long called for pedestrianization of the French Quarter.
For the health, safety, and strength of New Orleans’ local economy, the city should prioritize its residents by enhancing walking, biking, and transit in the French Quarter. The New Orleans Complete Streets Coalition, made up of 30 local organizations, supports efforts to make streets safe and accessible for all types of travelers, whether by car, bike, bus, wheelchair, or on foot. In addition to offering protection from possible intentional attacks, pedestrianization will increase safety for all road users in New Orleans, which has one of the highest rates of fatalities for people walking and biking in the nation.
Since Hurricane Katrina, the transit system has significantly declined, increasing reliance on cars and leading to worsening traffic and parking shortages in busy areas like the French Quarter. Additionally, rising pollution levels contribute to health issues like asthma in children, reduce daily physical activity, and create economic burdens due to car ownership and road repairs. Let us not wait any longer to find the solutions needed to restrict automobile access in the French Quarter so that our city’s most historic neighborhood can be a healthy, safe, vibrant and inviting place for both residents and visitors to enjoy.

Read the full agenda here, and if you are able to attend in person, please do.  Otherwise, we encourage you to submit a public comment for either or both of the agenda items by clicking on this link

When we come together as a community to voice a concerns around safety, we will have a greater impact on making change happen!

In Service,

Bike Easy Team

*This meeting was originally scheduled for Monday, January 6th