New Orleans Awarded FTA Transit-Oriented Development Grant to Support Equitable Growth Along Planned Bus Rapid Transit Corridor

November 1, 2024 | From City of New Orleans

New Orleans Awarded FTA Transit-Oriented Development Grant to Support Equitable Growth Along Planned Bus Rapid Transit Corridor

The Regional Transit Authority (RTA), in partnership with the City of New Orleans' Office of Resilience & Sustainability (ORS) and City Planning Commission (CPC), has been awarded a Federal Transit Administration (FTA) Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) Planning Program grant. The funding, part of the Biden-Harris Administration's $105 million investment in public transit resilience, will support New Orleans' Equitable Transit-Oriented Communities (ETOC) project. The ETOC planning study aims to support New Orleans' Climate Action Plan goals and to revitalize underutilized land along the 15-mile East-West Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor, which will connect neighborhoods in New Orleans East and the West Bank to the city's downtown area. Funds from the grant will support procurement of a professional consulting team specializing in 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," said MayorLaToya Cantrell. "By planning for transit-oriented development along our BRT corridor, we are investing in stronger neighborhoods, promoting affordable housing, and creating reliable, more accessible transit for all our residents. This grant will allow us to shape a vision for our city that serves the needs of all New Orleanians, particularly in historically underserved communities. We look forward to working alongside RTA, Ride New Orleans, and our community partners to make this transformative vision a reality."

"This funding will build a resilient, equitable transit future in New Orleans and help bring to life a Bus Rapid Transit corridor that connects New Orleans East and the West Bank to jobs, schools, and medical appointments downtown," said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02). "With this investment, we can connect affordable housing with more accessible, safe, and eco-friendly transit options. I was proud to champion the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to support these programs that help create thriving, inclusive spaces that will benefit Louisianians for generations to come."

The RTA has been planning for the design of the BRT route in the public right-of-way, in coordination with the City, which holds land use planning authority in the station areas. The process for developing this plan will center the involvement of residents and businesses located around the BRT corridor's 22 stations in the visioning of their station areas. Several of the station areas in the 15-mile, 22-station corridor are historically disinvested, are low-density, feature high rates of vacancy and traffic crashes, and high numbers of unhoused people. Diligent engagement of these communities through hands-on methods will be critical to this process.  

"This announcement from the FTA affirms the essential work we're undertaking to improve connectivity and expand transportation options across New Orleans," said RTA CEO Lona Edwards Hankins. "This $950,000 grant will support the alignment of future development with New Orleans' first Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor, a 15.1-mile route designed to provide more accessible, reliable, and sustainable transit throughout the city. It will also help create a roadmap for equitable, transit-oriented development, increasing ridership and fostering walkable, mixed-use neighborhoods with diverse housing options. This, in turn, will reduce emissions and enhance quality of life across New Orleans. We look forward to collaborating closely with the City to bring this vision to life."

"This grant is a tremendous victory for the people of New Orleans," said RTA Board Commissioner Fred Neal. "RTA has worked tirelessly to secure this funding, which will enhance our transit infrastructure, improve service reliability, and bring our vision for a more connected city to life. We are grateful for the support and collaboration that made this possible and look forward to the positive impact it will have on our community."

"This effort is a great follow-up to the CPC's and RTA's Transit Oriented Communities Study, and the CPC is excited to continue the work of aligning land use decision making with transit needs," said CPC Executive Director Robert Rivers.

"This is a massive step toward world-class transit for our region," said RIDE New Orleans Executive Director Courtney Jackson. "Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) will meet our transit riders where they're at and bridge the equity gap, freeing them from social and economic barriers through access. RIDE New Orleans is excited and ready to support the Regional Transit Authority and the transit riders they serve as we move toward BRT for New Orleans!"

This planning effort is also a key element of New Orleans' Climate Action Plan, which targets a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by expanding non-automobile travel to 50% by 2030. By fostering transit-oriented development along the BRT corridor, the City is advancing its goal of reducing transportation emissions, which currently account for 44% of New Orleans' greenhouse gases, and creating resilient, accessible communities that support a more sustainable future for all residents. Since 2023, ORS has secured $131 million in federal awards to implement the City's Climate Action Plan goals. For more information about ORS or these federal awards, please visit https://nola.gov/resilience-sustainability.  

For more information on these efforts, please visit RTA's Bus Rapid Transit project page at norta.com/brt.

For further details on the ETOC project and to learn more about the FTA's Transit-Oriented Development Program, please visit FTA's TOD Program Page.

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