About the Louis Armstrong International Airport Expansion
- The Louis Armstrong International Airport’s new passenger terminal broke ground in early 2016 and is set to open in February 2019
- Being built at a cost of almost $1 billion, the 35-gate, roughly 972,000-square-foot terminal is larger than was initially envisioned in order to accommodate the city’s growing tourism market
- By the time it opens, the airport expects the number of passengers flying out of New Orleans will be about 18 percent higher than was expected for that year in 2013
- A news release provided by the New Orleans mayor’s office highlights an economic impact study stating the new terminal will allow the airport to “support more than 64,000 jobs, $6.4 billion in local spending, and $2.4 billion in local earnings.”
About the Flyover Ramp to the new Terminal
- In August 2016, $10 million was earmarked to pay for design work, rights of way and other expenses.
- In January 2018, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) announced it will utilize federal Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle Bonds (GARVEE Bonds) to construct four major projects in three areas of Louisiana that have been part of the State’s Transportation Master Plan for decades. GARVEE Bonds allow the state to repay the debt with federal highway money it receives each year.
- This construction includes a new Interchange on I-10 in Kenner at Loyola Drive to serve the new Armstrong airport terminal currently under construction.
- In addition to state transportation money, the bonds will be paid with contributions at the local level. Jefferson Parish, Kenner, New Orleans, Armstrong Airport and the Regional Planning Commission are among those making financial contributions.
- The $90 million flyover ramp from I-10 at Loyola Drive is considered a crucial component of the new terminal, which will increase the airport’s capacity and therefore trafficgoing to and coming from New Orleans’ international airport. It would replace the existing flyover at Williams Boulevard, which brings traffic to a service road that leads to the airport’s south-facing entrances on Airline Highway.
- Construction on the interchange may not even start before the terminal opens late this year. In the meantime, work on a temporary road is expected to begin in January. The governor’s office said the state will seek approval to handle the Loyola interchange as a design-build project, putting both aspects in the hands of one contractor.
How to Participate:
- Review the information above outlining the major updates on the expansion of the Louis Armstrong International Airport terminal and fly-over ramp
- Comment on the Facebook post with your questions or email Christy@jeffersonchamber.org
- Questions will be answered at the 2018 Annual Meeting on Friday, February 2nd. You do not have to attend Annual Meeting to submit a question. Answers will also be posted here after the event.
We look forward to hearing from you! Questions must be submitted by 10 p.m. CT on
Wednesday, January 24, 2018.
