"We are committed to helping New Orleans modernize its historic streetcar line, which has become an important catalyst for revitalizing the downtown business and tourist districts," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

The Loyola Avenue Streetcar line has four new stations and travels through the city's business district, which includes energy, government, healthcare and financial sector offices and jobs. The line connects directly with Amtrak and intercity bus service at the Union Passenger Terminal, as well as streetcar service on Canal Street.

The U.S. Department of Transportation provided $45 million in Fiscal Year 2010 toward the streetcar project through its Transportation Investments Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) grant program. The remainder was funded by local sources.