Amtrak believes the execution of a $178 million federal grant is “proceeding well,” and that a lengthy case before the U.S. Surface Transportation Board over the fate of passenger rail service between Mobile and New Orleans could be dismissed on or before May 1, a filing submitted Thursday states.
What’s the Status of Amtrak Gulf Coast Service?
Work is still under way on settlement terms and conditions for launching Amtrak’s Gulf Coast service between New Orleans and Mobile, “America’s Railroad,” CSX, Norfolk Southern (NS), and Alabama State Port Authority and its rail common-carrier operating division, Terminal Railway Alabama State Docks, told the Surface Transportation Board (STB) in a Feb. 1 filing, which asked the Board to continue holding the case in abeyance, until at least May 1.
The parties provided a joint status report (download below) in accordance with STB orders, so the federal agency could “reasonably understand” the remaining steps necessary to fully implement their settlement agreement and ultimately restore passenger service in a region that has not had access to it since Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Amtrak, CSX, NS, and Alabama State Port Authority and Terminal Railway Alabama State Docks reached the agreement in November 2022.
U.S. Surface Transportation Board calls for status hearing on Gulf Coast Amtrak project
Northeast Texas Is One Step Closer to Gaining Rail Connection between D/FW and Atlanta
East Texas Council of Governments (ETCOG)’s Rural Transportation Planning Organization (RTPO) recently hosted a news conference in Longview to reveal that the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has officially designated the I-20 Corridor Intercity Passenger Rail Service as one of the selected corridors for the FRA’s Corridor Identification and Development Program (CIDP).
Federal designation for rail project is 'game-changer' for region, Marion County judge says
Mobile’s waterfront park focus: Fix the bulkhead, then bring in the crowds
Mobile’s only waterfront park will be closed for the next year for repairs after an engineering group discovered structural defects along a walkway overlooking the Mobile River.
Cooper Riverside Park remains a part of the city’s long-term plans to spark more entertainment along its downtown waterfront surrounded by museums, a convention center and cruise terminal.
The park could also be the first stop for Amtrak passengers if a train stop is built at the foot of Government and Water streets to support a new New Orleans-to-Mobile twice daily route.
Why 2023 emerged as a banner year for passenger rail
One of the brightest moments in decades for U.S. passenger rail advocates came in September, when a black and gold train consisting of two locomotives and four passenger cars broke through a banner and came to a stop at the Orlando airport amid a shower of confetti and cheers from hundreds of onlookers.
It was the first time that a Brightline train with paying passengers made the journey from Miami to the Orlando area, linking two of the biggest tourist destinations in Florida with the comforts of a modern train. It means visitors to the Sunshine State could walk along South Florida’s legendary beaches and spend time at Disney World without enduring a four-hour drive in between.
Editorial: High-speed rail should put equity on track
A high-speed train from Baton Rouge to New Orleans has the potential to bring many benefits to the region, from increased economic opportunity and greater mobility for residents to an expanded array of recreational options for tourists.
So we were excited when Gov. John Bel Edwards and then-secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development Shawn Wilson took a trip down the proposed route to boost the ambitious plan in April 2022.
$500K grant to help with I-20 corridor passenger rail service project through East Texas
A major development in East Texas rail transport is in the works. The I-20 corridor passenger rail service is planned to connect the Dallas/Fort Worth area to Atlanta, Georgia.
Tuesday afternoon, the East Texas Council of Governments Rural Transportation Planning Organization held a news conference at the Longview Depot and announced a big step for the project.
The group was awarded $500,000 by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), an award that project advocate and Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt says will help move the project along.
I-20 passenger rail service granted $500K for development: Here's what we know
A Northeast Louisiana passenger rail service will soon become a reality.
The Federal Railroad granted $500,000 to the I-20 Corridor Intercity Passenger Rail Service towards development of a train service that will connect Shreveport, Ruston and Monroe to Dallas, Texas.
The mayors of Monroe, Ruston, Shreveport and Vicksburg made the announcement Friday in downtown Monroe at a future terminal site.
The half-a-million-dollar federal funding is part of the $2 million Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, authored by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-Baton Rouge), for railroad infrastructure.
Southern Railroad Commission Chairman Knox Ross said the I-20 route is officially on the map of rail lines in the United States.