N.O. gets $10M grant to develop Canal Street ferry terminal

The City of New Orleans announced recently that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has awarded the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) more than $10 million in grant funding to develop a new ferry terminal at the end of Canal Street through the Obama’s Administration’s Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery VII (TIGER) competitive grant program. The New Orleans Canal Street Ferry Terminal project will further anchor the redevelopment and revitalization along the Mississippi River as part of the city’s 300th anniversary in 2018.

“The ferry system in New Orleans is a treasured institution and strong economic driver for our region,” New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said. “This brand new facility will stimulate economic development for our city along the Mississippi River and ensures this vital transportation resource will continue to serve residents on both banks river into the future.

With the nearly $400 million development of 2 Canal Street by Four Seasons just next door to the terminal, we are not only creating jobs but also ensuring that the transportation infrastructure is in place to allow more convenient access for residents and visitors alike. The ferries are an important link between the Eastbank and Westbank, and this new investment from DOT continues to build the Regional Transit Authority’s multi-modal, integrated transit system that already includes bus, streetcar, and paratransit services.”

In addition to a new ferry terminal, the New Orleans Canal Street Ferry Terminal project will include streetcar access to the New Orleans Convention Center, double ferry dock capacity, more convenient bus bay access as well as an expanded RTA bus fleet. Replacing the current terminal with a new, state-of-the-art facility will provide enhanced amenities and pedestrian access to the city’s Riverfront area for both residents and tourists.

Transdev Services commenced operations of the Algiers Point-Canal Street Ferry and the Algiers-Chalmette Ferry on Sunday, February 16, 2014. Transdev Services also operates the Regional Transit Authority’s transit system in New Orleans which includes bus, streetcar, and paratransits.

“These resources from the Department of Transportation will allow for necessary upgrades to the Canal Street Ferry Terminal,” Congressman Cedric Richmond said. “This is a vital transportation hub used by thousands of residents during their commute and connect more people with quality job opportunities. Modernizing the terminal will provide a tremendous amount of relief for travelers and allow them to spend less time on the road and more time with families.”

“Louisiana jobs depend on a well-developed infrastructure,” Congressman Charles W. Boustany Jr., MD, said. “With hundreds of millions of dollars in planned investment coming to New Orleans, it’s critical that we upgrade the Ferry Terminal to keep up with increased economic activity and tourism. I’m proud to support this important project.”

Justin T. Augustine, Vice President of Transdev in service to the RTA, said, “I would like to thank Secretary Anthony Fox and the department of transportation for their continued support for the Regional Transit Authority and the City of New Orleans, this TIGER funded project will allow us to continue on our journey to positively transform public transit in the City of New Orleans.“

Cedric Grant, Executive Director of the Sewerage and Water Board who also oversees all integrated infrastructure said, “Mayor Landrieu has established as a priority the redevelopment of the current Canal Street Ferry terminal into an efficient multi-modal transportation center. Because of the central location of the ferry terminal, it has the unique ability to provide critical public transportation to our 483,000 residents as well as our nine million annual tourists.”

In April of 2015, the DOT announced that $500 million would be made available for the TIGER grant program to fund transportation projects across the country. The goal was to focus on projects that generate economic development and improve access to reliable, safe and affordable transportation for disconnected communities both urban and rural, while emphasizing improved connection to employment, education, services and other opportunities, workforce development, or community revitalization.

This article originally published in the November 9, 2015 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.