Resident urges council to include highway-grade rail crossings in Safe Streets plan for Lower Ninth Ward

A resident urged the New Orleans City Council to expand the scope of the city’s Safe Streets efforts to include highway-grade rail crossings, saying federal grants exist to fund barriers and flashing lights and warning of added crossings planned near the St. Claude corridor.

Lindseay Edwards, who identified herself as living at 6000 Burgundy Street in the Lower Ninth Ward, told the council she supports the Safe Streets for All program but is “disappointed that it doesn't include highway grade rail crossings,” which she called among the most unsafe features in the city. “Even the federal government recognizes that and gives grants,” Edwards said, urging the council to add safety barriers, flashing lights or other protective measures if the program proceeds.

Edwards said she reviewed federal grant resources and a recent port application and expressed concern that five crossings by the water had been approved for removal while 24 new crossings were planned nearby, increasing safety risks for an area she described as already economically marginalized.

Council members thanked Edwards for her comments. The item she referenced had been considered on the consent agenda; the consent motion was adopted earlier in the meeting.

No specific follow-up motion or amendment to the Safe Streets program was recorded during the meeting; Edwards’ request was entered into the public record during the consent period.