Commercial airlines fly in and out of the New Orleans
International Airport, located about 12 miles from the city on US 61 in
Kenner. Private and corporate aircraft use the Lakefront Airport on
Lake Pontchartrain.
Eight rail lines operate from the Union Passenger
Terminal. Direct connections are available to cities in 28
states. Two passenger bus lines also use this terminal.
More
than 100 scheduled steamship lines are docked along the 50 miles of developed
waterfront. While most of the traffic carries cargo, passenger boats
tour the bayous and swamps and paddle wheelers explore the
Mississippi. Cruise ships, based on the New Orleans Mississippi River
waterfront, whisk passengers to many exotic ports of call.
There is no on
site public transportation, however there are several forms of public
transportation off base. The bus system, called the Rapid Transit
Authority (RTA), is one of the city's most reliable and efficient means of
public transportation. Another part of the city's transportation
system is the streetcar. A ride on one of the delightful streetcars, with its
clanging bells and wooden seats, provides a nostalgic trip through the streets
of New Orleans.
Two main east-west arteries traverse the city: I-10 and
US 90. I-10 branches through the city as the Pontchartrain Expressway
or the 610 Expressway; it is the main highway to Baton Rouge and
Slidell. US 90 enters the city from neighboring beach communities
along the Gulf coast on the east; it joins I-10 and then follows Claiborne
Avenue, becomes the West Bank Expressway, eventually swings south through the
bayous, and turns slightly northwest toward Lafayette, where it joins I-10
west.
Three bridges span the waterways of New Orleans. The
Huey P. Long Bridge, named for Louisiana's flamboyant governor, crosses the
Mississippi above the city, and the Crescent City Connection crosses the river
in the heart of the city. The Pontchartrain Causeway, the world's
longest bridge, is a twin span that crosses 24 miles of open
water. Both the Connection and the Causeway are
toll
bridges.
NEW ORLEANS INTERNATIONAL
AIRPORT
Location........................: 900 Airline
Hwy
Telephone.......................: 464-0831
AMTRAX TRAIN
STATION
Location........................: 1001 Loyola
Ave.
Telephone.......................: 528-1610
GREYHOUND/TRAILWAYS
BUS STATION
Location........................: 2101 Earhart
Blvd.
Telephone.......................:
525-9371
Comments........................:
The bus station and train
station are in the same building.
REGIONAL TRANSIT AUTHORITY
(RTA)
Location........................: 101 Dauphine at
Canal
Telephone.......................: 569-2700