Residents of New Orleans had the opportunity to voice their opinions about the future of the Claiborne Overpass at numerous community meetings in December 2012.  The meetings were part of the $2.8 million revitalization and transportation study called “Livable Claiborne Communities,” which is being led by the city’s Office of Place-Based Planning.  It will evaluate four miles along the corridor and respond to concerns about the Claiborne Overpass from residents in the surrounding communities, such as Treme and Lafitte.

The study is being funded by the U.S. Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development as well as city sources, and is a response to President Barack Obama’s call to federal agencies to “work collaboratively to achieve walkable, mixed-use, healthy communities, adopting eco-friendly lifestyles.”  Bill Gilchrist, the city’s director of Place-Based Planning expects that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Agriculture, and Department of Energy will also likely be involved in the study.

Both the study and the community meetings have been particularly focused on asking city residents to identify key issues associated with the Claiborne Overpass, what should and shouldn’t be changed, and what they would like to see for transportation development, jobs, and sustainable living.  New Orleans Deputy Mayor Cedric Grant told attendees of a citywide meeting at Dillard University, “This study is an opportunity to think big, and your input is critical.”

Another round of community meetings is expected to occur in early 2013, with the potential future alternatives for Claiborne Overpass defined by June 2013 and the study completed by August 2013.

Click here to learn more about the study.

Photo by Museum of the City.