The Southern Rail Commission (SRC), along with Amtrak, have reached key project milestones for passenger rail projects along the Gulf Coast and within the I-20 Corridor.
New Orleans to Mobile service
Amtrak is currently running familiarization trips for the highly anticipated return of passenger rail service between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala. Amtrak Vice President Nicole Bucich provided an overview of the numerous steps that must be completed before new service between New Orleans and Mobile can start.
“All these plans involve partnership agreements, whether it is with Federal Railroad Administration for grants we and others have applied to receive, state departments of transportation for matching support and guidance, with our statehouses for legislation, the city of Mobile for the terminal location, with host railroads, CSX and [Norfolk Southern] and, of course, with Amtrak. All of these plans and partnerships are moving forward and must be in place for us to start service next year between Mobile and New Orleans. When all the elements have been finalized between the parties, the schedules, fares and even the start date and official name of the train service will come via a joint formal announcement from Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission. Until then, we have work to do,” said SRC Chairman Knox Ross.
New Orleans to Baton Rouge
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards’ office will allocate $20.5 million in funds that became available after a settlement with HUD for repayment of Road Home program funds toward the local match requirement for federal grants the state is pursuing to fix the Bonnet Carre spillway bridge and implement the new passenger rail service.
I-20 Corridor service
Amtrak, in partnership with the SRC, applied for a Federal-State Partnership program grant to study passenger rail service routes connecting New York City, Atlanta, Ga., and Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas. The proposed service would extend the Amtrak Crescent Train from Meridian, Miss., with stops across Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas.
