Award of $2,000,000.00 with the objective to facilitate and evaluate public-private partnerships in which the private sector partner could assume a greater role in project planning, development,…

The City of New Orleans, operating through the New Orleans Aviation Board, received a $2.0 million Cooperative Agreement from the Department of Transportation's Immediate Office of the Secretary under the Asset Concessions and Innovative Finance Assistance program (CFDA 20.945), awarded September 29, 2025, with completion targeted for September 28, 2028. This three-year award funds expert services and technical assistance to facilitate and evaluate public-private partnership opportunities for a light rail terminal connection project serving the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in Kenner, Louisiana.

Under this cooperative agreement, the City of New Orleans will procure specialized consulting services to enhance its technical capacity in identifying underutilized transportation assets and structuring asset concession arrangements. Key deliverables include an asset concession report documenting findings and recommendations, quarterly progress reports tracking project advancement, and additional project-specific deliverables supporting the light rail terminal connection initiative. The program supports activities such as feasibility analyses, value-for-money assessments, business case development, risk assessments, and transaction structuring to enable private sector participation in project planning, development, financing, construction, maintenance, and operation. The intended beneficiaries are airport travelers and commuters in the New Orleans region.

Activities

Light rail terminal connection project. Deliverables/expected outcomes: asset concession report, quarterly reports, and deliverables.

Intended beneficiaries

Airport travelers and commuters of new orleans.