New Orleans — Lots Of Desire

Rail Transit Online, February 2003  

An environmental impact report on the proposed Desire corridor streetcar was released in early January and the Regional Transportation Authority immediately scheduled three public hearings for the end of the month.  RTA wants to begin final design as soon as possible to keep the project on schedule.  The three-mile (4.8 km), 24-stop line would not operate on Desire Street, only cross it.  The route would instead follow North Rampart Street and St. Claude Avenue between Canal Street and the Industrial Canal.  Nineteen locally-built replica heritage trolleys would be required, with up to 14 operating during peak hours at three-minute intervals.  However, the EIR is somewhat vague on the capital cost, saying it could vary between $108 million and $136 million.  Also yet to be resolved is how to configure the tracks along part of the line where the neutral ground, or median, narrows and how to cross a Norfolk Southern freight line at Press Street.  The latter problem is the most critical because the railroad has ruled out the least expensive option, a level crossing, fearing that frequent trolley service could result in collisions between heavy locomotives and relatively flimsy streetcars.  RTA says the risk could be virtually eliminated with an electronic warning system and automatic gates.  NS has suggested an underpass be built for both the transit line and road traffic, which RTA officials figure would cost $27 million.  It would be an ideal solution but the transit agency, trying to keep the price tag low, has not factored a grade separation into its budget.  Nearby residents are also opposed to the underpass, fearing it would alter the character of the neighborhood.  Still to be sorted out is how much federal funding will be available.  Washington is threatening to reduce its financial share of the half-finished Canal Street line from 80 percent to 60 percent, which translates to about $30 million.  Thus, money already set aside for Desire might be needed to complete Canal, delaying or even canceling the Desire project.  Construction is tentatively scheduled to start in the summer of 2005, with revenue service following in late 2006.