New Orleans — 30 Year Vision Revealed
July 2014
Veolia Transportation, which manages the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority [RTA] bus and streetcar system, has unveiled a $3.5 billion, 30-year transit expansion vision, the New Orleans Times-Picayune reports. Included would be 33.5 miles of new streetcar track by 2030.
Veolia representatives recognized that funding for all of the projects is likely to be very difficult to obtain, but wants all of the possibilities it perceives available for discussion. The RTA's board has not yet approved the project list, but ultimately will be asked to approve a plan after public discussions have ended.
Veolia has been critized by some public transit advicates for not presenting a vision that specifically would address the needs of struggling low income and African-American neighborhoods. Bus service and ridership has been increasing at a rapid rate, growing 12 percent in 2013. Expanding the bus fleet and bus service are also included in the long range plan.
Other major aspects of the long term plans will be released in coming weeks, including financial and operational goals.
The streetcar line that will run on North Rampart, adjacent to the French Quarter, from Canal Street to Elysian Fields Avenue should begin construction this fall for completion two years later. Federal funding for this project is in place.
Other streetcar projects in Veolia's long range plan call for the following routes:
Proposal |
Length |
Cost |
On St. Claude Avenue from Press Street to Poland Avenue |
2 miles |
$62 million |
On St. Claude Avenue from Poland Avenue to Refinery Road |
11.9 miles |
$226.6 million |
On Elysian Fields Avenue from St. Claude Avenue to Riverfront Line |
1.2 miles |
$37.2 million |
On Elysian Fields Avenue from St. Claude Avenue to UNO |
8.6 miles |
$266.6 million |
On South Carrollton Avenue from Canal Street to South Claiborne Avenue |
3.6 miles |
$120 million |
On Loyola Avenue from Howard Avenue to Convention Center Boulevard and Riverfront Line |
4.4 miles |
$130 million |
On Poydras Street from South Clairborne Avenue to Loyola Avenue |
1.8 miles |
$62 million |
Source: Veolia Transportation Services Inc. |
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