On Thursday, November 13, 2025 organizations in a Public Private Partnership held a public meeting about a planning study for evaluating possible transportation changes within OJCA boundaries and on Jefferson Highway. See below for a list of the organizations in the Public Private Partnership.
As a non-profit business in the impacted area, OJCA was invited to the meeting. We saw many small business owners in the area in attendance.
OJCA'S SUMMARY OF STUDY
A quick summary of what is being studied is consolidating the railroad tracks between Lowe's and Waffle House on Jefferson Highway, then building a bridge (for car and truck traffic) over the existing highway and adding frontage roads. This is known as Alternative 4 in the presentation materials (linked below) which is being studied as well as the No Build option (keep as is). Alternatives 1-3 have already been eliminated as possibilities. There is potential for displacement of businesses and a few residential properties.
RAILROAD'S SUMMARY OF STUDY
DOTD and the Federal Railroad Administration, in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration, the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission and the railroads operating in the New Orleans metropolitan area are conducting a study to evaluate combining the two at-grade highway-rail crossings on Jefferson Highway (US 90) between the Ochsner Medical Center and Monticello Avenue into a single crossing and grade separating the combined crossing with a roadway overpass. The New Orleans Public Belt Railroad operates trains 24 hours per day, seven days per week. A median of 10 trains per day utilizes these two crossings. Over 50% of the trains are one mile in length or longer. Trains lengths vary from single locomotives to unit trains approaching almost three miles in length.
PUBLIC COMMENT FORM
Public comments about the planning study are being accepted through November 24, 2025. If you want to comment about the planning study or their presentation (linked below), please complete the fillable online Comment Form:
https://dotd.la.gov/media/3hedbzfj/norg-jefferson-alternatives-meeting-comment-fillable-form.pdf
For comments submitted after the deadline, please contact:
Phone: 225-379-3031
Email: Dean.Goodell@la.gov
VIDEO PRESENTATION
Access the pre-recorded video presentation which was pre-recorded and was playing on a continuous loop during the meeting here:
https://dotd.la.gov/media/phtpvkeu/norg-jefferson-public-alternatives-meeting-presentation-video.mp4
POSTER BOARDS
Along with the pre-recorded video presentation were poster boards on easels for review. Officials and railroad representatives were available to answer questions. We think most of the poster boards are available here:
Go to the section "November 13, 2025 Alternatives Public Meeting Materials" and access the PDF documents.
PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP
The New Orleans Rail Gateway Program, and this Study are being advanced through a Public Private Partnership between the:
• Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development,
• Federal Railroad Administration,
• Federal Highway Administration,
• New Orleans Regional Planning Commission,
• Association of American Railroads representing the six Class 1 Railroads operating in the New Orleans metropolitan area (CN, CPKC, Norfolk Southern, BNSF, CSX, and Union Pacific),
• New Orleans Public Belt Railroad, and
• Amtrak
2020 DOTD STATE PROJECT NUMBER H.005168, FAP NUMBER DE-9208(500)
New Orleans Rail Gateway Program, Jefferson Highway Rail Crossing Relocation Public Scoping Meeting Presentation, March 4, 2020
- Selected because of its strong public benefit
- Jefferson Highway (US 90) Part of the National Highway network of Carriers 25,000 vehicles per day + two transit routes
- Delivers police, fire and ambulance emergency services
- Key route for hurricane evaluation
- Limited walking and bicycling opportunities
- The first smaller project to be studied is the Jefferson Highway
- Rail Crossing Relocation between the Ochsner Hospital and Monticello Avenue, in Jefferson Parish.
- This project was one of the 2007 Study’s identified improvements and was selected because of its strong public benefit.
- 24/7 train crossings interrupt traffic flow, access and increase vehicle delay
- A median of 10 trains per day utilizes the two crossings
- Supports Envision Jefferson 2040 Economic Development District
- Supports Ochsner Health Foundation Hospital Expansion, Growth in Retail & Residential Housing and Other on-going and planned area transportation improvements
PREVIOUS STUDIES
- Analysis of Alternatives in Alleviating Railroad – Community Conflicts in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana (FRA 1975)
- Old Metairie Railroad Project Final EIS (FHWA 1989)
- A Comprehensive Study of Problems in the Old Metairie
- Railroad Corridor in Jefferson and Orleans Parishes in Louisiana (FRA 1996)
- New Orleans Rail Gateway & Regional Rail Operations Analysis (DOTD 2002)
- New Orleans Rail Gateway Infrastructure Plan (AAR 2004)
- New Orleans Rail Gateway Infrastructure Feasibility Analysis (2007 Study)
- New Orleans Rail Gateway Benefits Report (AAR 2008)
Studies dating back to 1975 have been conducted by the Louisiana DOTD, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission (RPC) and the Class 1 railroads to identify ways to reduce rail congestion, highway crossing delays and improve rail service. The 2007 Infrastructure Feasibility Analysis (2007 Study) evaluated the Gateway and potential Gateway-wide rail and roadway improvements that could reduce delay and improve rail service. In all, 52 individual rail and roadway improvements projects (28 rail, 24 roadway) were identified. In 2011, an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) decision to commence an environmental study and prepare an EIS for the entire NORG based on the 2007 Study. July 2011 – Commenced Study. February 2012 – Local Officials, Resource Agency and Public Meetings. 2012 – 2014 – Numerous “Small” Group Meetings (e.g. Local Officials, Neighborhood Associations, Business Leaders). Significant challenges became apparent as the study progressed. Based on the 2007 Study findings, “The Partnership” move forward with a Gateway-wide environmental study to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement for the entire Gateway. Studies commenced in July 2011 and Local Officials, Resource Agency and Public Meetings were held in February 2012. Between 2012 and 2014 numerous “small” group meetings were held with local officials, neighborhood associations and business interests.