The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has approved a federal permit for the $1.8 billion Louisiana International Terminal (LIT). The approval allows construction to begin on the new container terminal in St. Bernard Parish near New Orleans. The project is a public-private partnership between Port NOLA, Terminal Investment Limited, and Ports America. The partners plan to build the facility along the Lower Mississippi River near Violet.
Port NOLA has committed more than $500 million, while private partners have committed $800 million. The Louisiana Legislature has committed another $180 million. The U.S. Department of Transportation has awarded $300 million through MEGA and INFRA grants.
The terminal will accommodate vessels with drafts of up to 50 feet and handle two ultra-large container ships simultaneously. Its location below the Crescent City Connection will avoid the bridge height restrictions that limit larger vessels from reaching existing port facilities upriver.
Port NOLA has acquired more than 1,200 acres for the development. The terminal, supporting infrastructure, and buffer areas will occupy about 400 acres. The site will provide access to major Class I railroads, interstate highways, and the Mississippi River inland waterway network.
Port NOLA targets 2028 for the terminal’s opening. The project will expand freight connections between the port and more than 30 states. Project estimates indicate that LIT could support 18,000 jobs and generate more than $1 billion in regional tax revenue by 2050.