New Orleans streetcar line open in time for Super Bowl

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The redevelopment of New Orleans’ historic streetcar network has been at the centre of the city’s rebirth since Hurricane Katrina swept through eight years ago.

Yesterday (January 28) a new $53 million line opened, extending the tram system to the French Quarter, the Superdrome arena – which will host Super Bowl XLVII next month – and downtown New Orleans.

The Loyola Avenue Streetcar line, which features four new stations, travels through the city’s business district and is expected to boost trading along the route.

Hurricane Katrina caused major damage to the system’s infrastructure and rendered many of the city’s streetcars unusable after flooding.

“We are committed to helping New Orleans modernise its historic streetcar line, which has become an important catalyst for revitalising the downtown business and tourist districts,” said U.S Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood, who attended the line’s grand opening.

Hurricane Katrina caused major damage to the system’s infrastructure and rendered many of the city’s streetcars unusable after flooding.

Since the storm, almost $2.7 billion of private sector investment has been ploughed into projects to renovate properties along or near the streetcar corridor.

The U.S. Department of Transportation provided $45 million in toward the streetcar project and a further $400,000 to allow New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (NORTA) to establish a new streetcar maintenance training programme for disadvantaged youngsters.

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