HDR selected for New Orleans environmental, engineering work

Written by jrood

February 14, 2001 The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority has selected HDR to complete an environment assessment and preliminary engineering for extensions of the New Orleans streetcar network into the Central Business District and neighborhoods surrounding the French Quarter. HDR previously did the alternatives analysis identifying streetcar investments for these areas, and the related conceptual engineering.

The environmental
assessment and preliminary engineering work, which is under way, is slated to
be completed in summer 2010. HDR is also helping RTA apply for federal funds
through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s TIGER Discretionary Grant
Program, New Starts/Small Starts and the new Urban Circulator program. RTA
plans to go from concept to completion in just over three years, with a
proposed opening date of 2012.

HDR’s alternatives
analysis and conceptual engineering work, which was completed in September, was
on a similarly fast track, with the typical 18-month timeframe accelerated to
12 months. The Locally Preferred Alternative selected by RTA based on HDR’s
analysis includes the following streetcar extensions:

• Union Passenger
Terminal/Loyola Avenue Streetcar Line.

• French Quarter
Streetcar Line.

• Convention
Center/Riverfront Streetcar Line.

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