"Helping increase transit operations" Corps turns over keys to RTA to signify project completion.  Officials present include (left to right) Pete Manceaux, QA Inspector, Three Fold Construction, (contractor to USACE); Dean Hilliard, Project Manager, Critical Public Facilities, USACE; Don Hyde, Project Manager, New Orleans Regional Transit Authority; Rose Quezergue, Director, Strategic Planning, RTA; Fred Basha, Capital Project Director, RTA; and Mark A. Major, Deputy General Manager, Finance and Administration, RTA. LA-RFO Photo. Back to Features

Corps helps New Orleans public transportation back to its feet
By Lois Jackson, USDA public affairs specialist

On March 24, 2006, Corps Project Manager Dean Hilliard handed over the keys to the Regional Transit Authority for their new temporary office building.

The RTA administrative office building was badly damaged by floodwaters from Hurricane Katrina, taking on approximately 10 feet of water.  Until the "grand opening," they had operated their administrative operations out of three different offices in Baton Rouge, Gonzalez, and New Orleans.

The critical public facilities (CPF) mission at the Louisiana Recovery Field Office was tasked with setting up this extensive project which includes about 23,898 square feet on the parking lot of the RTA Maintenance Facility at 2817 Canal Street in New Orleans.

The completed structure is actually four separate buildings connected by enclosed hallways, made up of 24 modular units.  From the inside, it appears to be one large building.

This project allows the transit system to centralize its operations and better serve the returning citizens of New Orleans.  Upon completion, the RTA will be able to increase operations of the trolley and bus systems.

“RTA was tremendously impressed with the quality of work and the overall effort put forth by Dean Hilliard and Danny Tree,” said New Orleans RTA Project Manager Don Hyde.