BATON ROUGE – The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) is hosting three Open Houses related to its ongoing Louisiana State Rail Plan. The Open Houses will be held in early October in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Shreveport.
With its State Rail Plan, DOTD is crafting a long term vision for the state’s rail system and how it can be improved to serve the needs of Louisiana’s citizens and rail shippers. The State Rail Plan development process was specified in the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 and codified in Public Law 110-432. Freight and passenger rail projects for which federal assistance is sought must be noted in a State Rail Plan. State Departments of Transportation are charged with the development of the plans.
An important element of the planning process is the solicitation of public comment. To this end, DOTD is hosting three Open Houses for the public and interested stakeholders in rail transportation at following locations:
New Orleans: Tuesday, October 2, 4-6 PM, Regional Transportation Management Center, Conference Room, 10 Veterans Memorial Blvd., New Orleans.
Baton Rouge: Wednesday, October 3, 4-6 PM, BREC Independence Park, Room 111, 7505 Independence Blvd., Baton Rouge.
Shreveport: Thursday, October 4, 4-6 PM, Northwest Louisiana Council of Governments, 401 Market Street, Suite 460 (4th Floor), Conference Room, Shreveport.
The Open Houses will include a presentation of preliminary findings of the ongoing rail planning effort.
Individuals needing auxiliary aids, special accommodations or transportation to attend the public meeting, should advise DOTD by September 24. For more information, please contact DOTD at 225-379-1273 and/or 225-379-3031.