|
 |
REMARKS FOR
THE HONORABLE NORMAN Y. MINETA
SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION
NEW ORLEANS CANAL STREETCAR LINE PREVIEW
NEW ORLEANS, LA
MAY 18, 2004
11 AM
Thank you for that kind introduction Jimmy, and good afternoon, everyone.
It’s great to be here in New Orleans to celebrate National Transportation Week.
But, more importantly, we’re celebrating the revival of a wonderful tradition –
the rebirth of the Canal Streetcar Line!
New Orleans is one of America’s unique cities – steeped in history and rich in
tradition. Bringing back the Canal streetcars will move this unique city’s
economy forward by building on its strong past and enhancing those values that
make New Orleans so very special.
Vision and perseverance throughout the past ten years have helped make this
project happen. From what I have seen here today, the Canal Street line has
proven its value and is a solid investment for the federal government. Ridership
has exceeded expectations, and there is no doubt in my mind that enthusiasm for
the service is strong.
All of us who have been involved with this project know that not everyone
immediately appreciated its potential. However, the project had some important
friends — visionaries who were determined to see the streetcars travel again
down Canal Street. The federal government invested $129 million – 80 percent of
the cost – at the insistence and dogged efforts of Senator John Breaux. But we
were not alone.
I would particularly like to recognize and thank a unique and exceptional
individual, Patrick F. Taylor, for his generous financial backing of this
project.
President Bush and the Department of Transportation are equally supportive of
giving localities like New Orleans greater flexibility to pursue public-private
partnerships like the innovative Canal Street partnership.
All of America can take a lesson from this unique and highly successful
partnership between the federal government, a regional transit agency, and an
individual citizen with a strong belief in this project.
However, nothing worth doing comes easily. This project was many years in the
making, and New Orleans faces some additional challenges ahead as the city
deliberates new transit projects. A rail summit in New Orleans is scheduled for
this summer to highlight potential projects like the Desire Streetcar Line and
the East-West Corridor. It promises to help create the necessary dialogue
between and among local and regional leaders that will help determine the needs
of the community.
Anyone who worked on the Canal Street project will tell you that results did not
happen over night. But we at the U.S. Department of Transportation, through the
Federal Transit Administration, are always willing and able to offer technical
assistance as these new projects are considered and debated.
The Canal Street line was a bus line for forty years. The changeover to
streetcars will have dramatic effects. It will improve the environment,
encourage economic development, and expand tourism. Perhaps most important to
the people of the Crescent City, the Canal Street line will help bridge
communities and bring neighborhoods together.
Besides the advantages of moving people and attracting tourists, the streetcars
behind me are important to building the economy of the new New Orleans, which
will be dependent upon this city’s ability to move people and goods, safely and
efficiently.
As you know, earlier today, I had an opportunity to tour the Carrollton Barn –
one of the only places in America where this type of streetcar is assembled by a
transit authority. It was exciting to visit with the men and woman whose jobs
are to bring streetcars to a new generation of Americans.
The work that you do, every day, keeps New Orleans moving. You ensure that
people get to work safely and on time. You bring tourists and visitors around
your beautiful city, offering glimpses of the historic neighborhoods that have
made New Orleans famous.
You’re on the front lines of a project and transit system that will continue to
help rejuvenate sections of New Orleans and help bring businesses and people to
your city and its neighborhoods.
For the city of New Orleans, seeing a major transportation project like this
come to fruition is a sign of bigger and better things to come. Our economy is
in the midst of an enormous expansion – the fastest growth we’ve seen in
decades. The rebounding economy means that Americans are traveling again for
both work and pleasure at record numbers, and New Orleans is one of the
destinations to which they’re headed.
That is why I am confident that the next stop on the Canal Street line will be a
prosperous future for the city of New Orleans and its residents. Thank you for
your support, and for being with us here today.
# # #