Advocates have reason to be concerned about the performance of the two newest streetcar lines in New Orleans—both the largest transit projects after the destruction of Hurricane Katrina.
"A public transit advocacy group is calling into question the city's return on investment in two new streetcar lines completed in recent years at a cost of $75 million, reports Beau Evans.
The report by Ride New Orleans criticizes the results for the new 1.6-mile, roughly $40 million streetcar line that runs along Rampart Street from Canal Street to St. Claude Avenue, as well as the slightly older 1.5-mile, roughly $35 million streetcar line on Loyola Avenue. The main complaint for the two lines: that they've actually slowed travel times for transit users commuting to some 1,000 jobs located along the routes.
"Both lines were realized by a $75 million federal grant and marked the biggest capital projects undertaken by the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority since Hurricane Katrina wrecked the city's transit system in 2005," according to Evans.
It's not the first time Ride New Orleans has criticized the city's post-Katrina transit planning efforts. A report in July 2014 found inefficiencies in spending by the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority.
FULL STORY: New streetcar lines have hindered residents' access to jobs, report says
New Orleans Weighs Regional Transit Plan
A new proposal would improve wait times for area buses and bring more households within walking distance to transit stops.
What Was Lost When Streetcars Stopped Still Hasn't Been Found
City's don't need vintage streetcars; cities need the frequency and convenience of service delivered by the streetcar lines from days past.
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.
The City of Broken Sidewalks
Can Los Angeles fix 4,000 miles of broken sidewalks before the city hosts the 2028 Olympic Games?
Shifts in Shopping: Transforming Malls Into Parks
Maybe zombie malls still have a second life — one with a little greenery.
To Build More Housing, Cities Must Be Smarter in How They Use Land
How strategic land use policy decisions can alleviate the housing crisis and limit unsustainable sprawl.
Parking Reform Can Boost Homebuilding 40 to 70 Percent
More evidence that parking flexibility is key to housing abundance.
California Adds Complete Streets to Transportation Funding Guidelines
The state transportation commission previously declined to include bike and pedestrian infrastructure in its updated funding guidelines, despite a new state law requiring Complete Streets efforts in all Caltrans projects.
Omaha Streetcar Yielding $1.5 Billion in TIF Funds
The line, scheduled for completion in 2027, is bringing billions in new investment to the city’s urban core.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Prescott
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
Village of Glen Ellyn
Temple University
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
CORP - COnsulting Research Projects
City of Cambridge, Maryland
Newport County Development Council: Connect Greater Newport
Rockdale County Board of Commissioners