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January 12, 2006
Thoughts on the BNOB light rail plan...
I did my level best to be objective in presenting the light rail plans of the "Bring New Orleans Back" Commission. I've requested further details on the plan, in the hopes that there's more thought to this than just a few hi-lighter lines on a street map.
That said, some initial comments on the proposed expansions:
Streetcars vs. LRVs: I can't possibly imagine that anyone is considering traditional LRVs for New Orleans, as they showed in the powerpoint presentation. Articulated LRV trains just aren't necessary and would require an entire support infrastructure separate from that of the existing streetcars. It makes more sense to continue the 2000-series Von Dullen cars for this plan.
The Canal-Elysian Fields Line: On paper, this line makes wicked good sense, to start out in Lakeview and end up at UNO. But it's going to take a lot more than drawing a dotted line on a map to get streetcars running on Canal Blvd. There are serious issues with that street, and that's one of the reasons streetcars went down West End rather than Canal Blvd. in the first place. The neutral ground from the cemeteries The railroad underpass near Florida Ave. and the I-610 interchange will force the tracks off the neutral ground and into the street. The neutral ground on Canal Blvd. was referred to as the "sunken gardens," and that hasn't changed. Putting streetcar tracks there will require a lot of fill-in and drainage modification.
A better idea would be to change the expanded route from Canal Blvd. to West End Blvd., bringing back the old West End line. Run the tracks on the west side of West End, in that large expanse of land that used to be the New Basin Canal. The line could either be terminated at Robt. E. Lee and West End, or it could be turned eastbound on Robt. E. Lee and terminate at Canal Blvd. Keep transit service on Canal Blvd. by using trolley buses. They make more sense on that street. Run a trolley bus line (or even a heritage street railway line) on Harrison Avenue, from the Marconi Canal to West End.
Airport Line: Of all these proposed changes, this is the one that should be built first. It's also the primary exception to the notion of using traditional LRVs. This line would go a long way in expanding our convention and cruise-ship business. I'm not too concerned with taxicab drivers being outraged here. In Boston, there are those who ride the Blue Line in from the airport and those who take a cab. It'll be the same here.
UNO-Claiborne-Desire Line: Also a very logical project. Streetcar service on Claiborne revives the old "St. Charles Belt" concept, even if it involves a line change. This is a huge boost to servicing schools as well, since this line passes UNO, Xavier, and Dillard. The "Desire" segment down St. Claude is problematical because of the dispute with Norfolk Southern over the grade crossing at Press, but maybe all the post-k rebuilding will be the mucle RTA needs to move the railroad.
Algiers-Gentilly Ridge Line: What a neat idea, well at least on paper. The line would link one of the city's best post-storm neighborhoods, Algiers, with NASA-Michoud, one of the city's biggest employers. The notion of modifying the Crescent City Connection bridges to accomodate light rail is fascinating, expensive, and problematical, but not impossible. A logical tie-in here would be to link Old Algiers to this line via a heritage line that would attract tourists.
River Line: This was an idea that made good sense pre-k, and continues to be a good idea. Riverfront has been a huge success for RTA, tying the Convention Center to the Quarter. Expanding the line to Jackson would take some of the pressure off of the Magazine bus line.
Overall, the proposals are very interesting. The juxtaposition of a well-thought-out line linking Algiers and Michoud with the lack of thought put into the Canal-UNO line lead me to wonder just how much input from transit professionals took place here. In any case, the concept is fantastic and I look forward to doing what I can to help make it all a reality.
Posted by YatPundit at January 12, 2006 10:21 AM
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