LRT to New Orleans Airport planned, Partial funding allocated to build new line Options

[Sloan]

Professor George Smerk, transit columnist for Railfan & Railroad magzine, reports in the March issue that the Louisiana legislature has allocated partial funds to build a light rail line from AMTRAK (Union Passenger Terminal) to Louis Armstrong International Airport. This would be a light rail; not something for Perley Thomas cars or replicas. The legislature's appropriation is important because it opens the "door" to federal matching funds, so critical in rail transit capital projects.

If this comes to fruition, New Orleans will join Portland, St. Louis, Cleveland, Baltimore, San Jose, Minneapolis (December); cities who have a light rail—airport connection. On the horizon are the "maybes": Newark, Louisville, Memphis, Phoenix, Miami, Orange County (CA), Houston, and Las Vegas (monorail in 2015).

Light rail.....the only way to fly!

[KevinKorell]

Professor George Smerk, transit columnist for Railfan & Railroad magzine, reports in the March issue that the Louisiana legislature has allocated partial funds to build a light rail line from AMTRAK (Union Passenger Terminal) to Louis Armstrong International Airport.  This would be a light rail; not something for Perley Thomas cars or replicas.  The legislature's appropriation is important because it opens the "door" to federal matching funds, so critical in rail transit capital projects. 

Light rail.....the only way to fly!

And a light rail line, or any rail rapid transit line, would be a welcome addition since currently there is a confusing bus route between the airport and selected downtown points.

If this comes to fruition, New Orleans will join Portland, St. Louis, Cleveland, Baltimore, San Jose, Minneapolis (December); cities who have a light rail—airport connection.  On the horizon are the "maybes":  Newark, Louisville, Memphis, Phoenix, Miami, Orange County (CA), Houston, and Las Vegas (monorail in 2015). 

A few minor corrections:
[*] Cleveland Hopkins Airport is served by its heavy rail (Red) line, not its light rail (Blue & Green) lines.
[*] San Jose Airport is not really served directly by the VTA LRT -- there is a bus connection involved.
[*] As for Newark Liberty Airport, if the Newark-Elizabeth Rail Link (a southward extension of the currently under construction Newark Link and existing Newark City Subway) ever makes it to the "airport", it most likely will serve the same station (already called the "Rail Link" station on the monorail side) as the commuter rail and AMTRAK, which means an AirTrain monorail ride between that station and the airline terminals.

[Sloan]

You're right, Kevin. Thanks for the clarifications.

Sloan