New Orleans East gets $65.6 million for bike lanes and pedestrian bridges

The big picture: The Department of Transportation is giving the city $61.5 million to make life better for people walking and bicycling along the north and south I-10 service roads in New Orleans East.

• The money will be used to build shared-use trails along the north and south I-10 service roads and bridges for pedestrians and cyclists to safely cross the interstate, according to a statement from the city.
• It will also be spent on improving lighting on the service roads.

Meanwhile, Rep. Troy Carter on Wednesday announced a $4.1 million federal appropriation to build an elevated pedestrian bridge to access Lincoln Beach.

• The city is in the process of creating a master plan for the beach with the goal of partially reopening it next year.
• It would be the only public beach in the city.

Catch up quick: Lincoln Beach closed in New Orleans East in 1964 shortly after Pontchartrain Beach, the white-only beach, was integrated.

• Lincoln Beach is about 15 acres along the lakefront near Hayne Boulevard and Vincent Road.
• It was a major recreational spot for Black residents during segregation and had live performances from Fats Domino, Irma Thomas and Nat King Cole, according to the city.

Go deeper:

• The city's statement about the transit improvements.
• New Orleans' historically Black beach a step closer to reopening.
• New Orleans doesn't have any public beaches, but that might change.