NEW ORLEANS – Today, the New Orleans Regional Transit Authority (RTA) announced receipt of $5,272,491 in Federal Transit Administration (FTA) funding to rehabilitate the car landing at the Lower Algiers Ferry Terminal. This RTA competitive grant award is the second highest award amount for the FTA’s 2020 Passenger Ferry Grant Program.

“RTA’s award will help the agency continue to build the necessary infrastructure and make crucial system improvements that align with a world-class multimodal system deserving of the citizens of New Orleans,” said Alex Wiggins, CEO, New Orleans Regional Transit Authority. “Our commitment remains steadfast as we assess the needs of all modes of transit while keeping in mind the needs of the community and riding public.”

The grant award will be used to for the first phase of an effort to rehabilitate RTA ferry facilities and infrastructure. The RTA initially will rehabilitate the car ferry landing barge. As the RTA brings transit operations in-house the agency is placing concerted effort to improve the rider experience.  By optimizing the Lower Algiers facilities car landing we will improve the automobile transition from queuing onto the ferry for riders who rely on the car carrying ferries of Lowers Algiers to get to the industrial plants in the regional parishes outside of New Orleans and our residents and tourists who rely on the passenger ferries to traverse between the East and West Banks of New Orleans.

“It is a paramount priority of the RTA Board of Commissioners is to provide safe, reliable, and equitable transportation to the citizens of New Orleans across all transit modes,” said Flozell Daniels Jr., Chair, RTA Board of Commissioners. “The RTA Board will continue to advocate for funding at all levels to prioritize projects such as these to ensure that all of our people receive world-class transit service that provides access to education, work, healthcare and family connections.”

"When I became Mayor more than two years ago I made transportation one of my top priorities, launching the Office of Transportation and ensuring that RTA had a strong partner to make the long-overdue transit improvements our residents have been demanding and deserve. Kudos to CEO Alex Wiggins and his staff for securing the funds we need to improve the Lower Algiers Ferry, and to Board Chair Flozell Daniels, Jr. for his ongoing partnership in this work," said Mayor LaToya Cantrell.

“As a native resident of Algiers, we grew up using the ferry as both a mode of transportation and entertainment. This federal grant is recognition of the true value our Algiers Ferry brings to not only our residents and visitors, but the entire region,” said Senator Troy A. Carter, Louisiana State Senator, District 7, representing Algiers.

“The New Orleans ferries provide transportation to workers, connect communities and support the local economy. This is good news for our entire region,” said Representative Gary Carter Jr., Louisiana State Representative District 102.

Passenger Ferry Grant Program provided grants to 12 projects in 12 states around the country. Funding of approximately $47.5 million will be allocated to passenger ferry projects and ferry operators nationwide. The funds will be used to support existing ferry service on many of the nation’s waterways and help to repair and modernize ferry boats, terminals, and related facilities.

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