Not only would it connect the Crescent City to the capital city, it could serve as a method of mass evacuation in time of hurricanes.

NPR: Light Rail Would Connect More than Point A and B

Gov. Kathleen Blanco (D), faulted for failing to order the mandatory evacuation of New Orleans in time and for being too slow in getting federal grants to homeowners trying to rebuild, bowed to political reality and decided in March that she would not seek a second term.

NPR: Political Junkie: Jindal, Nation's Youngest Governor

It was at this time that the government reviewed its previous evacuation policy and decided that all children up to the age of 13 should be evacuated.

BBC: Stanley Ross remembers the Blitz