The U.S. Federal Railroad Administration recently awarded the Southern Rail Commission a $4.4 million Restoration and Enhancement grant to restore passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast.
The program funds intercity rail passenger transportation.
After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Amtrak suspended its tri-weekly service between New Orleans and Orlando. Both rail lines and stations suffered extensive damage.
“This restored service will continue the economic recovery of communities devastated by Hurricane Katrina, enhance corridor mobility and safety, and allow for safer and more efficient hurricane evacuations by providing a daily passenger service that is business and tourism-friendly,” Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards said.
Funding will help resume service roundtrip service twice daily between New Orleans and Mobile by providing operating expenses for the first year of service. The service will have stops in the Mississippi cities of Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula.
The line is forecasted to carry 38,400 passengers annually.
The commission also has received a $33 million federal grant through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements program, and Louisiana and Mississippi have each committed $1.4 million.
Commission officials hope Alabama will provide matching funds for the next grant cycle so that service can be extended to downtown Mobile.