Speeding Up Trips on the Canal Street Streetcar in New Orleans

Big changes are in store for one of the busiest transit lines in New Orleans.

1 minute read

February 18, 2019, 5:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


New Orleans Streetcar

Jorg Hackemann / Shutterstock

Jeff Adleson reports on planned changes to New Orleans famed Canal Street streetcar line, "aimed at cutting the time of the ride from Carrollton to Harrah’s Casino by more than a third, essentially turning the streetcar route into almost an express line."

The Regional Transit Authority is preparing to test changes like "eliminating some stops and closing off some of the intersections across the neutral ground so that streetcars can travel up to half a mile without having to pick up passengers or wait while cars block the track."

The changes could reduce trip times by almost 14 minutes between the Mississippi River and Carrollton Avenue.

The pilot project, if approved, would run from May to December.

Thursday, February 14, 2019 in The New Orleans Advocate

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing