Louis Armstrong Airport Breaks Ground on
Express Shuttle Connector Road Project
New dedicated road will reduce shuttle times from parking & rental car facilities;
Phase 1 opens at the end of 2026
NEW ORLEANS – The City of New Orleans, the New Orleans Aviation Board and other local, state and federal partners hosted a groundbreaking ceremony at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport to mark the start of construction of the $84.5 million Express Shuttle Connector Road Project, which is a dedicated shuttle roadway connecting the Economy Garage, Employee Garage and Rental Car Center on the Airport’s south campus to the terminal on the north campus.
With $65 million of the total project funded by Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the new Connector Road Project will decrease traffic congestion on public roads, minimize wait times for passengers using shuttle services and serve as the foundation for future intermodal connectivity to the Baton Rouge to New Orleans rail.
“The Express Shuttle Connector Road Project is a game-changer for Louis Armstrong Airport and represents a significant infrastructure investment by the federal government in our airport,” said Hon. Michael Bagneris, Chair of the New Orleans Aviation Board. “This dedicated roadway will transform how passengers, employees, and rental car customers move between our facilities, eliminating the frustration of traffic delays and unpredictable shuttle times. More importantly, it lays the groundwork for future transportation innovations with the rail connectivity that will further enhance New Orleans’ position as a premier travel destination.”
Each day, an average of up to 9,000 people use the shuttle buses to get back and forth between Airport facilities. Currently, buses use public roads such as Veterans Boulevard and Bainbridge Road and pass through four traffic lights in each direction, creating delays and unpredictable travel times during peak periods. Shuttle times can range from 14 to 18 minutes, and once the project is complete in 2027, the shuttle times are estimated to be reduced by half to a range of 7 to 10 minutes.
“After years of planning and collaboration with our federal partners, we’re thrilled to break ground on this transformative project that will directly benefit the almost 9,000 daily users of our shuttle system,” said Kevin Dolliole, Director of Aviation for Louis Armstrong Airport. “By creating a dedicated roadway that bypasses surface street traffic, we’re not just improving efficiency – we’re building the infrastructure backbone for the next generation of airport connectivity. This investment demonstrates our commitment to continuous improvement and positions Louis Armstrong Airport for seamless integration with future regional transportation systems, including the planned Baton Rouge to New Orleans rail service.”
The project will be completed in two phases. Phase one, which will be completed by the end of 2026, will construct the north end of the roadway, allowing shuttles to bypass the traffic lights on Veterans Boulevard. Phase two will be complete by the end of 2027, and includes the southern portion of the roadway near the former terminal and Airline Highway.
In the future, the new Connector Road will also provide a convenient connection to the future Baton Rouge to New Orleans rail service, which will include a stop at the Louis Armstrong Airport on the south of Airline Highway. This roadway can serve as the foundation for a possible light rail system or autonomous vehicle roadway further enhancing the connection between the north and south campus facilities.
Pictured from left to right: Secretary Glenn Ledet (LADOTD), Councilmember Arita Bohannan (Jefferson Parish – District 4), Councilmember Dee Dunn (City of Kenner – District 1), Councilmember Byron Lee (Jefferson Parish – District 3), Director of Aviation Kevin Dolliole, Chairman Judge Michael G. Bagneris, Councilmember Eugene Green (City of New Orleans, Chair of Transportation and Airport Committee), Board Member Gary Smith, Sr., and Justin Barker (Manager, FAA Louisiana Airport District Office).
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