Residents of the 7th Ward in New Orleans voiced concerns Thursday night about planned roadwork on North Broad Street during a town hall meeting with the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
The project, which will span about 4.5 miles along U.S. 90 from Lafitte Avenue to France Road, aims to improve safety in the area. However, neighbors worry the proposed changes to the neutral ground could disrupt neighborhood traditions, such as second lines, and make it harder to access local businesses.
“I get to watch a lot of these horrible accidents, whether it’s vehicle or pedestrian as well. And so I just think that proper signage or protections need to be in place,” Richard Thomas, an artist who lives on Broad Street near the Saint Bernard Avenue intersection, said.
Thomas said pedestrian safety should be a top priority, since many older residents get around by walking.
“My concern is for the elderly — we have a lot of kids going to school at that intersection,” Thomas said. “Also, I think the access to Walgreens and some of the other convenience stores on the corners, it’s problematic right now because there’s a lack of proper signage.”
Louisiana Department of Transportation officials said the project will include high-visibility crosswalks, pedestrian signals, and updating accessibility ramps to meet current Americans with Disabilities Act standards.
“It’s hectic because it’s a main drag and you have a lot of traffic,” Cynthia Davis, who has lived on Broad Street for about 14 years, said. “Especially between 3 and 6 , the traffic is very heavy.”
The plans also involve changes to the neutral ground, such as adding dedicated left-turn lanes rather than multiple openings throughout medians in the area. Louisiana Department of Transportation employees said this is planned to reduce congestion and improve safety for drivers.
“It’s a busy street and all the turns, you know, it benefits . It makes it less congested. So I just can’t see that being a plus for us,” Davis said.
The project will also resurface the roadway. Transportation officials said public input from the town hall could still influence parts of the project and potentially alter the current plans. There were also discussions of potentially scheduling another meeting for public comment.
Construction is scheduled to begin in August or September next year and is expected to last about a year and a half.
READ MORE:Not so fast: 7th Ward residents raise concerns over North Broad Street roadwork plans
