Projects | Peters Road Bypass and Bridge

PROJECT OVERVIEW

The Peters Road Alternative Rail Alignment and Rail Bridge Project provides an alternative rail corridor to an existing rail line that currently passes through downtown Gretna and surrounding high-density residential areas in Jefferson Parish.

The project is designed to improve public safety, reduce community impacts, and accommodate future freight rail demand associated with significant regional industrial growth.

BENEFITS AND ECONOMIC IMPACTS

Enhanced Freight Efficiency and Economic Competitiveness

Improves rail reliability and operational efficiency, supporting continued industrial growth and major regional investments, including the Louisiana Gateway Container Terminal and Venture Global LNG.

Improved Community Quality of Life and Emergency Resilience

Reduces rail congestion and operational disruptions in urban areas while strengthening emergency response and evacuation reliability during peak traffic and emergency events.

Improves Safety for Surrounding Communities

Relocates freight rail traffic away from downtown Gretna and dense residential neighborhoods, reducing the risk of hazardous materials incidents, derailments, and rail-related conflicts near homes, schools, and businesses.

PROJECT STATUS

🟢 In Progress — Environmental Compliance and Engineering Underway

Official Project Name

Peters Road Alternative Rail Alignment and Rail Bridge

Project Description

The project includes:

• Development of an alternative rail corridor generally paralleling Peters Road

• Construction of a railroad bridge crossing the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway (GIWW)

• Associated rail and roadway infrastructure improvements required to support safe and efficient freight movement

The alternative alignment relocates rail operations away from residential neighborhoods while preserving regional rail connectivity.

Regulatory Oversight
• Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD)

• U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT)

• Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

• NEPA Environmental Assessment completed (April 2018)

Funding & Grant Compliance

This project is supported by:

• FY 2024 RAISE Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation

• Local and state coordination through the Plaquemines Port, Harbor & Terminal District and DOTD

Grant funds support eligible pre-construction activities, including:

• Environmental review and documentation

• Engineering and design development

• Right-of-way mapping and technical studies

All project activities comply with:

• Federal grant agreement requirements

• NEPA and related environmental statutes

• Applicable labor standards and civil rights requirements

• State and local procurement and oversight regulations

STRATEGIC MILESTONES & PROJECT PROGRESS

This timeline is maintained to support federal grant monitoring, public transparency, and audit readiness.

Milestone	Status	Date
NEPA Environmental Assessment (EA) Completed	Completed	April 2018
RAISE Grant Awarded (FY 2024)	Completed	2024
RAISE Grant Transfer Agreement Executed (PPHTD → DOTD)	Completed	July 25, 2025
Engineering Task Order Executed (Lanier & Associates – TO #15)	Completed	April 21, 2025
Phase 3 Pre-Scoping Meeting (DOTD / Stakeholders)	Completed	May 1, 2025
Notice to Proceed (Design Phase) Issued	Completed	September 2, 2025
Design Coordination – Bridge Clearance Review	Completed	July 7, 2025
Engineering & Design Development	In Progress	Current
Supplemental Environmental Coordination (as required)	In Progress	Current

The 40% design package was formally submitted to the Surface Transportation Board on January 16, 2026, in support of the ongoing federal environmental review.

ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW & NEPA STATUS

An Environmental Assessment (EA) compliant with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was completed in April 2018 for the Peters Road Alternative Rail Alignment and Rail Bridge.

Subsequent project development and design activities are being advanced in coordination with DOTD environmental staff and federal partners. Where design modifications occur, environmental documentation is being re-evaluated and supplemented as required in accordance with federal regulations.

Environmental compliance activities include:

Evaluation of impacts within previously approved alignments
Supplemental technical studies as needed to support design updates
Ongoing coordination with regulatory agencies

View Environmental Assesment

Lafayette_Street,_Gretna,_Louisiana_12_August_2025_-_06

COMMUNITY & ENVIRONMENTAL STEWARDSHIP

Community & Environmental Stewardship

The Peters Road Alternative Rail Alignment and Rail Bridge Project is being advanced with a focus on protecting surrounding communities and minimizing environmental impacts throughout planning and design.

Key stewardship commitments include:

Community Impact Avoidance
The alternative alignment relocates freight rail activity away from dense residential areas in downtown Gretna, reducing long-term rail-related impacts on neighborhoods, businesses, and public spaces.
Environmental Responsibility
Project development builds upon the completed 2018 Environmental Assessment and includes ongoing coordination with state and federal agencies to evaluate design refinements and ensure continued compliance with applicable environmental requirements.
Interagency Coordination
The Port coordinates with DOTD, environmental consultants, and regional partners to integrate environmental considerations, safety, and resilience into project development.
Transparency and Public Accountability
Project information is shared through publicly noticed Port Commission meetings and other public-facing materials to promote awareness and accountability.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION & TRANSPARENCY

Public engagement and interagency coordination are integral components of project development and federal grant compliance.

The Louisiana Gateway Port has supported public transparency through:

Publicly noticed Port Commission meetings, where project updates have been presented and discussed as part of the Port’s regular governance process
Interagency coordination meetings, including the August 27, 2025 Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA) presentation, addressing project alignment, environmental considerations, and community impact avoidance
Coordination with DOTD, environmental consultants, and regional stakeholders

These activities support transparency, community awareness, and regulatory coordination in advance of and alongside required federal environmental review processes.

Additional public participation opportunities, including formal comment periods, will be provided as required under NEPA and administered by the appropriate lead agencies.

NEPA & PROJECT DOCUMENT LIBRARY

Documents listed below are provided to support federal grant transparency and public accountability. Official environmental and regulatory records for this project are maintained by the appropriate state and federal agencies.

Environmental Review

• Environmental Assessment (EA) – April 2018

• Ongoing environmental coordination as project design advances

Grant & Project Administration

• FY 2024 RAISE Grant Award (Summary)

• RAISE Grant Transfer Agreement (Executed)

Planning & Design

• Phase 3 Pre-Scoping Meeting Summary

• Engineering Task Orders and Notices to Proceed

Public Transparency

• Port Commission Meeting Summaries and Project Updates

• Additional documentation may be made available as project development continues.

COMPLIANCE & FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS

Labor & Equity Standards

This project adheres to all applicable federal requirements, including:

• Davis-Bacon Act prevailing wage standards

• Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) participation goals

Funding Disclosure