Baton Rouge streetcar project obtains environmental clearance

A rendering of the Baton Route streetcar
Source: tramlinkbr.com

The city of Baton Rouge, La., now can move into the project development and design phase for a 3-mile tram system after a federal review found the project would have no significant environmental impacts.

Released July 29, the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA) finding of no significant impact report gives the city three years to start construction of the project, known as TramLinkBR.

If the city doesn't begin building by that time or if the selected route is changed, the FTA may require supplemental environmental documentation, according to the agency's letter of approval.

The $170 million modern streetcar would link downtown Baton Rouge with Louisiana State University along the Nicholson Drive corridor.

The project also would include the construction of a new 20,000-square-foot operations and maintenance facility to store, maintain and service the tram vehicles.