Amtrak and its partners have committed to restoring Gulf Coast passenger rail in 2021 with the lack of a financial commitment from Alabama as the remaining obstacle.
Without Alabama’s commitment, the rail service will not have enough funding to reach downtown Mobile. The area is considered the most convenient area for travelers to disembark.
Louisiana and Mississippi together have committed $1.4 million.
“The SRC hopes the state of Alabama will support passenger rail restoration by providing matching funds for the next grant cycle so service can be extended to downtown Mobile,” Wiley Blankenship, Southern Rail Commission (SRC) commissioner said. “Alabama’s Southern Rail Commissioners welcome this positive affirmation for the restoration of passenger rail service between New Orleans and my home of Mobile. I look forward to working with my fellow commissioners and Alabama state leadership to provide the necessary support to leverage additional federal operating funds to make Gulf Coast rail a reality.”
SRC is a tri-state group created to support Southeast rail initiatives.
The project has received two grants from the Federal Railroad Administration. A $4.36 million grant will fund operating expenses for the first year of passenger rail service along a new line, and a $33 million grant will be used to complete significant infrastructure and capital improvements.