CONNECT Coalition

Founded in 2011 with funding from the Ford Foundation, the Surdna Foundation, and the Greater New Orleans Foundation, CPEX's CONNECT Coalition aligned efforts by various stakeholders to improve network connectivity for transportation, jobs, and housing in the Baton Rouge to New Orleans superregion. The CONNECT coalition worked from 2011-2015 to advance a multi-modal transportation network of passenger rail, transit, complete streets, and transportation planning. The Coalition advocated for improved access to affordable homes, job centers, and equitable economic opportunity. OUTCOMES The CONNECT initiative nurtured successful collaborative efforts among advocates from across the superregion, including engaging the leadership of more than 40 nonprofit organizations to serve on the Coalition, and more than 500 member/partner organizations. The Coalition's primary successes included: Adoption of state legislation to create the Louisiana Super Regional Rail Authority to advance and oversee passenger rail improvements Adoption and implementation of state, regional, and local Complete Streets policies Hosting annual policy forums, convening federal, state, regional, and local policymakers and shaping the conversation around transportation priorities Publication of policy briefs outlining the benefits of greater collaboration between in the Baton Rouge and New Orleans superregion Successful referendum for dedicated revenue to improve and expand the Baton Rouge transit system in April 2012 Facilitated collaboration between Baton Rouge and New Orleans Metropolitan Planning Organizations to fund passenger rail feasibility study Conducted a public opinion poll with 75% of respondents expressing support for superregional passenger rail