AAR, rail groups hail potential impact of new infrastructure funding law

resident Joe Biden's signature on the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) marks a "long-overdue step" toward a more competitive and prosperous economic future, the Association of American Railroads (AAR) announced yesterday.

The legislation includes nearly $845 million per year for highway-rail grade crossing safety and elimination projects and an average of $5.55 billion per year for discretionary infrastructure grant programs, such as $1 billion per year for the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvement (CRISI) grant program, which provides essential support to short line and passenger railroads as well as state departments of transportation, AAR officials said in a press release.

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Mobile City Officials OK $30 Million to Support New Downtown Airport Project

Relocating Mobile’s commercial airline services to a new terminal close to downtown has been described as a “transformational” project for the city and region and one that will lead to lower air fares and more direct flight options in coastal Alabama.

Rich said she hopes the new airport can be a transportation hub that includes a bus terminal and a passenger rail stop. Amtrak is currently pushing for a return of a Gulf Coast rail route connecting New Orleans to Mobile, and their request is currently being weighed by the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.

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$250,000 railroad grant awarded to The Magic City’s Amtrak station by Southern Rail Commission

Big things are ahead for the Gulf Coast as the Southern Rail Commission announced the grant locations for South Mississippi and Birmingham on Monday. With Amtrak planning to revive their service locations in early 2022, passengers are eager to hop on board and explore the Coast.

All aboard, Birmingham. Keep reading to see why Birmingham plays an integral part in connecting the the U.S. to the Gulf with these two major improvements.

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Birmingham awarded money for train station upgrades

Improvements are coming to Birmingham’s Amtrak station after the Birmingham Jefferson County Transit Authority received federal grant money this week.

The Southern Rail Commission awarded Birmingham $250,000 that can be used to enhance accessibility, improve ridership, and expand economic opportunities associated with station redevelopment.

“This is an effort to try to provide funding to assist us to clean up the area prior to the World Games,” said Frank T. Martin, CEO of the BJCTA.

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Money for train station upgrades awarded to Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, and Pascagoula for Gulf Coast train plan

The Southern Rail Commission will award grant funding from the Federal Railroad Administration to the cities of Gulfport, Miss. Bay St. Louis, Miss., Pascagoula, Miss., and Birmingham, Ala. to complete construction and enhance accessibility for each of their local passenger train stations.

SRC will award a total of $953,338 in four grants: Gulfport will receive $246,500, Bay St. Louis will receive $270,000, Pascagoula will receive $186,838 and Birmingham will receive $250,000. Each of these grants required a local match of the same amount.

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Hurricane Ida did not derail Amtrak plan to restart Gulf Coast route

Sixteen years ago, Hurricane Katrina’s strong winds and powerful storm surge damaged rail stations and infrastructure along the Gulf Coast rail line. As a result, passenger rail has not operated along it ever since.

Amtrak is targeting a New Year’s Day return to the Gulf Coast line, and its case before the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) is expected to conclude soon. Preparations are underway to resume passenger service between Mobile and New Orleans as the Biden Administration prioritizes boosting Amtrak services nationwide.

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Will train service between New Orleans and Mobile start Jan. 1? Amtrak asks feds to hurry

Amtrak is still aiming to begin passenger train service between South Mississippi and New Orleans on or about Jan. 1.

With less than six months until the service is targeted to start, Amtrak this week asked the Surface Transportation Board to expedite its application so preparations can begin. The motion said restoration of service between New Orleans and Mobile will alleviate worsening congestion on the highways and offer a more energy-efficient way of travel.

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