The Southern Rail Commission and Amtrak are collaborating to bring passenger rail service through North Louisiana. The two organizations will meet with local leaders along the I-20 corridor to highlight their application for funding. The goal is to secure funding from the federal railroad administration to support all phases of the project.
The proposed passenger rail service will run from Meridian, MS to Dallas/Fort Worth. There would be passenger stations in Monroe, Ruston, Shreveport, Vicksburg and Jackson if approved. Canadian Pacific, which recently merged with Kansas City Southern, shares ownership of the tracks between Meridian and Dallas/Fort Worth with Norfolk Southern. Canadian Pacific has already contributed to the progression of the Gulf Coast passenger rail service.
Amtrak and its partners have been exploring this idea for over 20 years. However, last year’s passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act by Congress has created new opportunities to study possible expanded long-distance Amtrak service. Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross believes that the question is no longer “if”, but “when” this service will be implemented.
“This has the potential to be the first new Amtrak service of its kind in more than 25 years and it would come in an area that has long been underserved by passenger rail, said Knox. “Now that we have a way forward for new state-sponsored corridor service between New Orleans and Mobile, the I-20 route has been identified by the SRC as its next priority.”
If the study is funded by FRA and produces a sufficient business case for a direct connection, Amtrak will partner with the SRC and others to seek capital to initiate the service. This project has the potential to greatly benefit the region by providing a reliable and efficient mode of transportation for residents and visitors alike.
The proposed passenger rail service will not only provide a convenient mode of transportation but also create 81 jobs and stimulate economic growth of around $70 million in the region. The upgrade for Amtrak service would also benefit freight rail service.