“This project has been years in the making, and even with the challenges we’ve faced, we completed this project right on schedule,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “This has been a great opportunity to again demonstrate how we meet our people where they are, in the heart of Central City, and we are so excited to get MLK to where we know it needed to be. I must acknowledge Congressman Carter as we have seen so many awards come our way for transportation, and we expect more to come. This is a perfect example of how the City of New Orleans continues to leverage federal investments and get the work done. We’re also very excited about how we are lifting up local business along this thoroughfare. These signs of rebirth, regrowth and reinvestment, especially on MLK, are showing equity in every way.” 

The scope of work for this project included repaving the roadway, replacing damaged or missing sidewalks and driveway aprons, installing Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps at intersections, installing bike lanes and establishing high-visibility crosswalks.   

“It gives me great pleasure to transfer this completed project back to the residents of Central City,” said Threat. “We live in one of the oldest cities in the United States, that provides essential and critical elements of commerce to the nation and world. This MLK project is just one of the many construction efforts by this administration to provide the quality of life that our residents and visitors deserve and can enjoy for future generations.” 

“While we did not have a large part to play in this specific project, it still speaks to the overall partnership between Sewerage and Water Board and the City, more specifically the Department of Public Works (DPW),” said Spooner. “Most of the utilities in this area are from 1905 – 1910, and underneath here are major drainage lines for Uptown. We have completed about 600 blocks of water mains with another 650 blocks under construction, and we are going to work continuingly with DPW to get this work done. While we have been addressing 10,000 city blocks, there are another 10,000 blocks of improvements we are actively looking to fund. It is key that we continue to invest in our infrastructure.” 

This project was funded through an investment of $4.4 million from the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Surface Transportation Program. DPW funded the remaining $1.1 million.

“Congressman Troy Carter is in D.C. doing work on behalf of all of us to make sure he can bring more progress, more programs and more money back to New Orleans,” said Mercadel. "We are committed to making all our communities as beautiful as what you see here. We have watched this neighborhood through its challenges, and now there is great infrastructure in place. We look forward to all improvements, both here and in the rest of the city. Please trust that Congressman Carter is fighting to bring those federal dollars here to serve New Orleans and to serve our great community.” 

“Louisiana Department of Transportation is very proud of our partnership with the City of New Orleans to deliver a project like this along the Martin Luther King Boulevard corridor,” said Guilbeau. “This project takes a lot of work, and it is vital for the quality of life of residents in this neighborhood and the overall quality of our transportation system for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. All partners and contractors involved did an exceptional job on this project and stayed on schedule despite the many challenges associated with a major thoroughfare. Lastly, we’re not going to stop here; DOTD looks forward to further collaborating with the City to secure federal dollars so that we can continue delivering projects like this all throughout the New Orleans metro area.” 

"The MLK Project has improved both the street and bike lane infrastructure and created more pedestrian safety measures in Central City,” said District B Councilmember Lesli Harris. “My office looks forward to more of these projects being completed in a timely manner as we continue to focus on the quality of life for residents in District B." 

The completion of this project speaks to the overall progress happening due to the unprecedented amount of infrastructure improvements underway across the city. Since 2018, 38 roadwork projects at an estimated value of $127 million have been completed in District B. Currently, there are 17 projects under construction at an estimated value of $232 million in District B. Additionally, there are eight roadwork projects in the planning phase at an estimated value of $32 million. 

“Bike Easy is a local non-profit dedicated to making bicycling easy, safe and fun for everyone in Greater New Orleans by working on various projects and initiatives that promote bike lanes, bike-friendly policies and safety improvements on our streets,” said La Spina. “We have seen so many positive changes in the city, and engaging the local community has always been a key part of making these kind of improvements a reality. These bike lanes are a tangible commitment to safety by providing a protected space for those biking, reducing risk of crashes and promoting active transportation. They also promote inclusivity and accessibility, as well as health and environmental benefits as we look toward a greener, more sustainable future.” 

“I had the good fortune of being at the groundbreaking last year, and now we are thrilled to report this has been the smoothest journey in terms of construction, especially with the communication from the City as far as what was happening around our neighborhood,” said Moreland. “We were always given ample notice if there would be any disruption, and we never had to close once during the whole construction process. Safe streets are an essential aspect of our business, especially for our guests and employees that bike or take public transit to get to our location. We are really proud to be a part of Central City, and a safe community and safe transportation is a real priority.”