Construction kicks off for New Orleans streetcar project

Written by Jenifer Nunez, assistant editor
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City of New Orleans

New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA) officials, Mayor Mitchell Landrieu and city council members gathered Jan. 28 to kick off the construction on the 1.6-mile North Rampart Street/St. Claude Avenue Streetcar Project, which will connect the French Quarter and Treme to Canal Street and Loyola Avenue via the network of streetcar lines in the city.

 

“New Orleans’ streetcar system is the envy of the world and an enduring icon for our city,” said Mayor Landrieu. “The Rampart/St. Claude Streetcar extension will continue this great tradition by enhancing mobility options for riders, improve connectivity to our historic neighborhoods and spur economic development. New Orleans is a perfect example of a truly multi-modal, integrated transit system that already includes bus, streetcar, ferry and paratransit services. This streetcar line extension is another sign of our dedication to increasing transportation options for every citizen.”

In addition to track installation on the inside lane on both sides of the street, the project includes underground utility upgrades/relocation, asphalt and concrete restoration/replacement, installation of historically-accurate street lights, traction power and overhead electric cable system, traffic signalization upgrades, six covered shelter stops and new landscaping.

The vehicles that will run on the line will come from the streetcar stock that currently operates along the Loyola and Canal Street lines. The locally-built streetcars, replicas of the historic cars that roll on the St. Charles line, are air-conditioned and in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

The streetcar project is scheduled for completion in the third quarter of 2016.

 

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