Traffic
Traffic flow is key to the success of the Louisiana International Terminal and to the local quality of life. During the federal permitting process, we’ll evaluate how the new terminal will affect vehicle, train, and shipping traffic in the local area and beyond. We're also working with our partners to facilitate the construction of a third roadway in St. Bernard Parish.
St. Bernard Transportation Corridor
Local officials and community members have envisioned a third roadway for years. Now, the Louisiana International Terminal can help initiate this much-needed infrastructure.
The Port of New Orleans is working with local, state, and federal transportation partners to facilitate the design and construction of a new roadway. One option in consideration is an elevated roadway road located outside the levees along the 40 Arpent Canal. This parallel project would connect Lower St. Bernard Parish to the interstate system.
In June, the Regional Planning Commission (RPC) awarded a contract for the study that will formally document the need for the St. Bernard Transportation Corridor and its alignment. The study will also determine the need for other transportation improvements in the area surrounding the Louisiana International Terminal. This effort is in progress.
While this roadway is not a Port of New Orleans project, we are a dedicated advocate. The Port supports the Regional Planning Commission and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development in their efforts. The Port is coordinating with these agencies on the early steps of the project in an effort to mitigate future potential traffic impacts and address historical needs of St. Bernard Parish residents.
- help to relieve traffic congestion that would happen with or without the terminal
- offer an alternative route for trucks
- serve as another hurricane evacuation route for residents in the Parish
- attract and keep new economic investments and industries
- reduce safety concerns and air quality impacts on local roadway
RPC's Lower St. Bernard Parish, LA Roadway Network & Resilience Study
Currently, the Regional Planning Commission is conducting the initial study that will begin the transportation development process. Their feasibility study will formally document the need for the St. Bernard Transportation Corridor, along with other transportation improvements, and will determine its alignment.
RPC has kicked off their outreach portion of the study and are encouraging people to visit their project page to learn more about the study and how to get involved. This is the first of many steps in the RPC's project outreach plan and early feedback will support initial community engagement and transportation project scoping efforts.
Planning and Funding
The Regional Planning Commission and the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development are responsible for the St. Bernard Transportation Corridor project and will follow their own process to develop it.
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$50 million is already committed by the Louisiana Legislature for analysis, planning, and design phases. Alongside state and federal funding, we anticipate a private partner will provide the additional finances for construction. A toll on container trucks would likely be collected to repay the private partner.
- Review traffic improvement needs for the lower third of St. Bernard Parish
- Formally document the need for a roadway connecting Lower St. Bernard to I-510
- Identify potential impacts to the human and natural environments
Lower St. Bernard/Louisiana International Terminal Roadway Network and Resilience Study – Awarded to GIS Engineering
- Determine the roadway alignment
- Develop a budget
- Collect public input
- Identify additional projects to improve traffic flow in the parish
- Finalize roadway design
- Obtain necessary permits
- Develop a traffic management plan for construction
- Build the roadway according to design
Road Traffic and Potential Improvements
Based on traffic studies, the Port of New Orleans will implement solutions within the terminal area to minimize the impacts of vehicle traffic on the community. The Port has already begun coordinating with other agencies to address infrastructure concerns outside of the Port's authority. The Port of New Orleans will continue to partner with St. Bernard Parish, the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission, and the Louisiana Department of Transportation Development for traffic solutions.
Road improvements may happen in phases based on needs as the terminal is built. Truck traffic is not expected to increase significantly in the early stages of the project. As the terminal earns business in future years, traffic could increase. The traffic studies will inform this and help us find ways to address potential impacts.
- vehicle and train traffic flow
- existing traffic patterns
- future growth within the Parish
- traffic patterns over time if the terminal wasn’t built
- traffic impacts expected from the terminal over time
- potential ripple effects beyond the terminal
Train Traffic
Rail infrastructure is an important element of the federal permitting process. We are conducting a rail study to understand the impacts of terminal-related train traffic. The Port of New Orleans is also working with Norfolk Southern Railroad and local, state, and federal partners to plan for changes and improvements that may be necessary as a result of the project. The Port aims to address potential impacts of train traffic on the community.
As more information is available from the permitting process, we will share it with you here.
River Traffic
Barge traffic will be considered in the federal permitting process transportation studies. We will share more details about this part of the study as information becomes available.