by TomNelligan
The New Orleans RTA is now listing October 2nd as the opening day for the extension of heritage streetcar service along the North Rampart Street trackage that has been under construction for the past year. The line will be operated as an extension of the current Loyola Avenue line, running crosstown from New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal to Elysian Fields Avenue and connecting with the Canal Street line at roughly the midpoint. An updated map and system schedule is now on the RTA website.
http://www.norta.com/getattachment/Maps ... 6.pdf.aspx
There has been discussion of further extending this line towards the river to tie in with the Riverfront line, but a potential grade crossing with a Norfolk Southern freight branch has been an issue. Last I heard, NS was demanding a grade-separated crossing, which is impractical due to local geography.
http://www.norta.com/getattachment/Maps ... 6.pdf.aspx
There has been discussion of further extending this line towards the river to tie in with the Riverfront line, but a potential grade crossing with a Norfolk Southern freight branch has been an issue. Last I heard, NS was demanding a grade-separated crossing, which is impractical due to local geography.