New Orleans has secured a significant federal grant to boost its public transit system and foster equitable development. The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) has awarded the city's Regional Transit Authority (RTA), in collaboration with the City of New Orleans’ Office of Resilience & Sustainability (ORS) and City Planning Commission (CPC), a Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning Program grant, according to a report by the city's official website. Part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s $105 million investment in infrastructure, the grant aims to promote equitable growth and bolster sustainability efforts in New Orleans.
The project, known as the Equitable Transit-Oriented Communities (ETOC) study, is set to rejuvenate areas along a 15-mile East-West Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor – connecting New Orleans East and the West Bank to the city's downtown district. Funds will be utilized to hire a professional consulting team to undertake market analysis, community, and economic development, engineering, and public involvement. “This award is a tremendous opportunity for New Orleans to take a significant step toward a more connected, equitable, and sustainable future,” Mayor LaToya Cantrell said, demonstrating her vision for a city inclusive of every New Orleanian, and importantly, focusing on historically underserved communities, according to the city's annoucement.
The BRT corridor aims to enhance neighborhoods and support affordable housing while improving access to jobs, schools, and healthcare. Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. noted the grant's role in connecting affordable housing with safer and more eco-friendly transit options, highlighting its importance for developing inclusive communities for Louisiana’s future generations.
The RTA will work with the city to develop the BRT and hold public consultations to gather input from residents and businesses about the planned 22 stations. RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins stated that the $950,000 grant will help align future development with New Orleans' first BRT corridor, aiming to increase ridership and create walkable neighborhoods with diverse housing options. Hankins indicated that this initiative is expected to reduce emissions and improve overall quality of life in New Orleans.
Robert Rivers, CPC Executive Director, expressed a commitment to aligning transit needs with land-use planning. This project supports New Orleans' Climate Action Plan, which aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting non-automobile travel. Transportation emissions account for 44% of the city's greenhouse gases. Since 2023, ORS has secured $131 million in federal funding to support these objectives.
