New Orleans — Major Expansion Plans

April 2013

The www.nola.com site reports about major expansion plans for the New Orleans streetcar system, as laid out by Regional Transit Authority General Manager Justin Augustine.

As the below map shows, several lines are proposed. The one in green would extend from the end of the Riverfront Line at the French Market to North Claiborne, where it would turn toward Canal Street, and possibly continue across Canal (as shown in Blue) to pass the Superdome and a connection with the new Loyola Avenue line.

Another line would connect the end of the historic St. Charles line on South Carrollton to the Canal line via Carrollton (shown in brown on the map).

The planned and funded St. Claude line (light blue) which would run along North Rampart to St. Claude would be extended all the way across the Industrial Canal into the Lower 9th ward and would be known as the Desire Line, as it would serve the same areas the famed line of that name served until it was abandoned in 1951.

Finally, as shown in red on the map, a line along Howard Avenue would connect the end point of the new Loyola line at Union Passenger Terminal past the St. Charles line at Lee Circle and on to connect with the upriver end of the Riverfront line serving the Warehouse District and the Morial Convention Center.

Augustine stressed that these lines were conceptual only, and that many changes to the routings could take place before being final. The total cost could run to $800-million and funding has not yet been identified. He also said that Mayor Mitch Landrieu has made positive comments about the potential routes.

Augustine also said that plans are underway to improve the city's bus network as well.