The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority was recently awarded more than $24.8 million by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for the final design and construction of the Downtown Transit Center and connecting transit corridor. This funding was made possible through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.
The new bus terminal will provide safer connections for riders as well as conveniences like shelters and restroom facilities.
“Federal partnerships are vital to the RTA’s commitment to creating world-class ridership that will connect our passengers from throughout Greater New Orleans,” says Lona Edwards Hankins, RTA CEO. “This grant is a crucial step toward the creation of our Downtown Transit Center, which will serve as the heart of our service. I want to thank the Biden Administration and Congressman Troy Carter for their leadership and for recognizing the value of transit – not just as a service to riders but also as a driver of economic development to move our region forward.”
The Downtown Transit Center will also serve as the key downtown hub of the proposed Bus Rapid Transit project, which will significantly shorten transit times for New Orleans East and West Bank riders.
“I firmly believe that investing in our city’s infrastructure is important to fostering economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for all Louisianans,” says U.S. Rep. Troy Carter. “Our transportation network serves as the lifeblood of our communities, connecting people to jobs, businesses to customers, and families to essential services. This funding for the Regional Transit Authority will ensure smoother commutes, reduce congestion, and promote sustainable transportation options for a prosperous future.”
The site of the new transit center is the former Southern Railway Terminal, in the neutral ground of Basin Street at Canal Street.
“These two major awards from the Department of Transportation will make public transit for our residents more accessible and environmentally sustainable,” says Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “Constructing the Downtown Transit Center has been a shared priority for both my administration and the Regional Transit Authority for years. The project will act as an economic catalyst for our downtown area and include right-of-way improvements to make the surrounding area safer for people walking, bicycling, riding transit, and driving. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the RTA and we are appreciative of our partners in the Federal delegation and Biden Administration who have made these projects a reality for New Orleans.”
