[muawiyah]

Noticed that. Also, check the "20% .... passed through" ~ didn't say what percentage had to stop and disgorge passengers and freight ~ actually, virtually none.

The city itself is not needed to move freight.

[speekinout]

The city itself is not needed to move freight.

Totally agree. But I also think that there are parts of the city worth preserving. The Garden District and the French Quarter, for sure. And maybe other areas.
But that's all for historic and sentimental reasons, not because we need the city.