Amtrak Will Finally Resume Southern Corridor Service

Two-times-daily Amtrak service between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans is planned to restart in 2024.

After almost two decades, Amtrak will finally resume service to the Gulf Coast thanks to a nearly $200 million federal subsidy.

The company hopes to restore twice-daily service between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans with the help of a scheme dubbed the Gulf Coast Corridor Improvement Project. This initiative is poised to breathe new life into a rail line segment that bore the scars of Hurricane Katrina's tempestuous visit in 2005.

Working hand in glove with the Southern Rail Commission, this transformative project rides on the coattails of financial support from the Federal Railroad Administration's Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) program, bolstered by contributions from key stakeholders, like Amtrak itself, and authorities in Mississippi and Louisiana.

Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner released a statement praising the initiative, saying, "The CRISI grants announced today will help launch new and expanded service, advance critical safety and reliability improvements, and provide opportunities for the workforce, marking another big milestone as we continue to advance a new era of passenger rail."

The award funds the planning, final design, and construction of many route enhancements, including as new track, improved signals, and upgraded grade crossings and stations.

Restoring service to the Gulf Coast is an ongoing project that has been planned for quite some time now. The Mobile City Council approved funding for a plan back in 2020 to re-establish train service between Mobile and New Orleans. According to Amtrak's website, the corporation formerly offered service down the Gulf Coast, beginning in New Orleans and ending in Jacksonville, Florida.

Senator Roger Wicker of Mississippi stated the money will be used to reconnect the local communities that were affected by the destruction of Hurricane Katrina.

Resuming passenger train service is expected to generate considerable employment, enhance quality of life, and give a convenient transit alternative for visitors, all of which will contribute to the economic prosperity and vibrancy of the area.

Visitors to the Big Easy may also take the City of New Orleans train, operated by Amtrak, which travels the 900 miles from Chicago to New Orleans' Union Passenger Terminal.

Amtrak plans to put the government grant money to good use in a number of different areas, including the Gulf Coast, the Northeast Corridor.

 

Source: travelandleisure.com