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NEW ORLEANS, LA - On Thursday, April 2, 2026, the Transportation Committee convened to receive several updates on ongoing transportation-related projects, including the Amtrak Mardi Gras Service passenger train, the St. Claude Ave. traffic-safety study, and more. The Committee also reviewed a resolution committing the City to the Safe Streets for All safety action plan.
Committee Shows Support for Safety Action Plan
Representatives from the New Orleans Health Department and the Department of Public Works spoke to the Committee about the City's Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan (SAP). The SAP highlights serious traffic safety issues across New Orleans, with an average of 60 deaths and 373 severe injuries each year from 2019 to 2023—many involving vulnerable road users like pedestrians and bicyclists.
Most of these crashes occur on just 7% of the city's road network. The SAP envisions making all streets safe for users of all ages and abilities, aiming to eliminate traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2041 and reduce them by half by 2031.
To achieve this, the SAP proposes a $171.7 million investment in priority safety network projects, including 40 high-risk corridors and 12 key intersections. The plan recommends design improvements such as enhanced lighting, high-visibility crosswalks, protected intersections, and measures to reduce conflicts and control vehicle speeds. The strategy emphasizes safer street design, particularly for vulnerable road users such as pedestrians and cyclists. The presentation concluded by outlining the next steps, which include formal adoption of the plan and pursuing federal funding to support implementation.
Following the presentation, the Committee adopted Resolution R-26-137, which formally endorses the City's Safe Streets for All Safety Action Plan by the City Council.
To view the full presentation, click here.
Amtrak Provides Update on Mardi Gras Service Line
The Director of Amtrak Governmental Affairs in New Orleans gave a presentation regarding updates on the Mardi Gras Service—a twice-daily passenger train that connects the city to Mobile, Alabama.
The Mardi Gras Service, supported by the state, began on August 18, 2025, and has reportedly exceeded expectations by offering its twice-daily round-trip service with connections to major national routes. It includes amenities such as Wi-Fi, café options, and various seating areas.
Since launch, the Mardi Gras Service has recorded over 92,000 trips, averaging 412 daily riders with high occupancy during peak times. Performance is strong, with on-time arrivals and departures exceeding goals. Ridership peaks in New Orleans and Mobile, with Biloxi also a key stop, and over half travel the full route.
Customer satisfaction has remained high, driven by positive staff interactions and the overall travel experience. The presentation concluded by highlighting ongoing improvements, including safety measures such as Emergency Notification Systems at crossings, and by promoting continued use and booking of the service line.
To view the full presentation, click here.
Updates on St. Claude Ave. Traffic-Safety Study
District Engineer Administrator for the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, Scott Boyle, spoke before the Committee to give updates on the comprehensive traffic-safety study of the St. Claude Avenue corridor.
Negotiations with consultants are ongoing, and the project's scope is being defined. However, the LaDOTD is close to signing those contracts to begin work on the study. One of the contracts involves a short-term feasibility study to examine immediate safety improvements for St. Claude Ave. These improvements include curb ramps, pedestrian signal upgrades, striping enhancements, and more. Boyle is confident these changes can be implemented within 2 years.
The long-term contract is progressing on a similar timeline and includes key upgrades to St. Claude Ave. These upgrades include possibly moving the bike path to the median, installing separated and protected bike lanes, upgrading all traffic signals, and more.
In total, Boyle estimated the project would require approximately $30 million in funding due to the scope of planned upgrades and improvements.
RTA Updates Committee on Several Key Updates
Representatives from the Regional Transit Authority (RTA) delivered a presentation outlining ridership trends, key operational updates, capital projects, and the upcoming New Orleans East Service Improvement Plan.
Ridership trends for both buses and streetcars are on the rise in 2025, despite a slight decrease in streetcar usage in 2024. Since September 2024, the Opportunity Pass Pilot has attracted over 8,900 sign-ups and nearly 392,000 pass activations. Moving forward, RTA will be focusing on youth engagement and increasing transit use through targeted marketing. RTA aims to boost reliability by upgrading paratransit scheduling and expanding its bus fleet to 140 vehicles by 2028, including electric and smaller buses for routes with lower demand. Service improvements are underway in Algiers and New Orleans East, emphasizing community input and connectivity.
The agency has secured federal funding, which has helped improve safety, reliability, and infrastructure, including new buses and facility upgrades. Major capital projects include a $9.8 million renovation of the Algiers Ferry Terminal, the planned Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor, a 14.8-mile route connecting key parts of the city with frequent service and shorter travel times, and more.
To view the full presentation, click here.
The New Orleans Aviation Board Provides Updates on Operations at Louis Armstrong Airport
Representatives from the New Orleans Aviation Board spoke before the Committee to provide updates on various projects and the impacts of the partial government shutdown on Transportation Security Administration (TSA) operations at the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport.
The Director of Aviation of the New Orleans Aviation Board, Kevin Dolliole, provided a brief overview of various Capital Projects, including the Express Shuttle Connector Road, Overflow Surface Parking Expansion, Runway 2-20 Rehabilitation, and more.
Dolliole also provided updates on the impacts on the TSA caused by the ongoing partial government shutdown. The shutdown has significantly affected operations at major airports, including Louis Armstrong International Airport. However, as of Monday, March 30, 2026, TSA employees received back paychecks, and callout times from TSA agents are returning to normal. TSA expects staffing shortages to ease during the holiday weekend.
To view the full presentation, click here.
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