"I have always been and will remain committed in my efforts to improve our city's transportation system to better serve the needs of the residents who depend on it."

NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) has been awarded a grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) as part of its Ferry Grant Program. Through the program, the RTA will receive $2.4M of approximately $58.2M in project selections toward improving the safety and reliability of America's passenger ferry systems.

As District "D" Councilmember and Transportation Committee Chair, Jared Brossett has worked tirelessly toward improving the city's ferry infrastructure since he assumed office in 2014 and wrote a letter of support to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao regarding this grant in 2017.

"I'm extremely proud of the RTA for having been awarded this grant amongst such a competitive field of applicants nationwide," said Councilmember Brossett. "I have always been and will remain committed in my efforts to improve our city's transportation system to better serve the needs of the residents who depend on it."

The 2017-2018 Ferry Grant Program funds were distributed among a total of 20 projects in 12 states to enhance mobility for transit riders across the country, support existing ferry service on many of the nation's waterways, and help repair and modernize ferry boats, terminals, and related facilities.

"This news is proof that working together is how we find solutions to problems in the city," said District "C" Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer. "The RTA grant would not be possible without the efforts of the New Orleans City Council and state legislators, while Friends of the Ferry and many other advocates have tirelessly fought to get the much-needed funding to make improvements and provide a sustainable ferry system in Algiers." 

This grant will enable the RTA to rehabilitate and modernize the Algiers Ferry Terminal. The funding will be used to update the Algiers Ferry Terminal focusing on increasing resilience, increasing safety and security and expanding ferry capacity. Project funds would be expended on adding a stand­by generator for emergency management, a towed fuel tanker to enable more flexible fueling; rehabilitation and refurbishment including re-roofing, painting, new flooring and seating and a heat and air conditioning system; and increasing capacity, by enhancing ADA and pedestrian access, new signage, real-time information, a mobile ticket office for special events and adding a second slip to accommodate two ferries.

"We're absolutely thrilled to receive the Algiers Ferry Terminal Rehabilitation and Modernization Grant, which will enable the RTA to bring the facility to a state of good repair. This is a wonderful example of how we work with the community to understand their needs, and we're proud to have incorporated their requests in this grant," said Justin T. Augustine, III, Vice President of Transdev, in service to the RTA. "I'd also like to thank Senator Troy Carter and State Representative Gary Carter for helping the RTA obtain the local matching funds for this grant."

For a full list of selected projects, click here. For more information on the RTA, click here.

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Contact:

Domonique Dickerson
Chief of Staff
Office of District "D" Councilmember Jared C. Brossett
dcdickerson@nola.gov
(504) 316-9140