January 7, 2025 - TRA Newswire -

Mississippi Senator Roger Wicker (R), a long-time supporter of intercity passenger rail service, announced that the Federal Railroad Administration has awarded a Restoration and Enhancement Grant of over $21 million to restart rail service between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama. 

The FRA grant of $21,117,115 will go toward establishing two daily round trips to Gulf Coast cities that have poor to no intercity public transportation options. Those cities have been without passenger rail service options since Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. 

It was reported earlier that the start of service between New Orleans and Mobile could occur later this year as final details are worked out. 

“This is great news for Mississippi,” Senator Wicker said. “Gulf Coast Rail is an investment in the future of our state. This grant will help with operational costs, ultimately reconnecting communities and ensuring that Mississippians have access to reliable transportation.”

Senator Wicker has been a strong advocate for restoring passenger rail service to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. He has worked to unite federal, state, and local officials in support of investments along the southern rail corridor and to address regulatory concerns related to the restoration of passenger service.

In response to the senator's announcement, Knox Ross, Chairman of the Southern Rail Commission said "This substantial award represents a historic moment in our effort to restore passenger rail service to communities along the Gulf Coast. The grant allocation will supplement costs associated with the operation of two daily roundtrips for the first three years of service. As a result, communities spanning Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama will benefit from increased mobility and connectivity."

Ross said the grant is not only a win for passenger rail service, but a win for the communities, economies, and countless residents across the Gulf Coast and beyond.

Chairman Ross said "The Southern Rail Commission is extremely grateful for our partners, especially Senator Wicker and his dedicated staff who have championed the establishment of the R&E program, in addition to their continuous advocacy for passenger rail development and funding." He also named Transportation for America in helping to steer the formation of the Restoration and Enhancement program. 

Besides the New Orleans-Mobile restoration service, the Commission previously received $500,000 from the USDOT in Corridor Identification and Development Program (CIDP) funding to support planning for passenger rail routes between Meridian, Mississippi and Fort Worth. That appropriation was made possible by U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA). 

In a separate award, the Louisiana Department of Transportation received a CIDP grant of $500,000 to start planning rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The SRC is involved in that project as well. 

The Southern Rail Commission was formed when the 97th Congress adopted P. L. 97-213, which enabled the formation of an Interstate Rail Compact. The compact was approved by Louisiana, Mississippi & Alabama legislatures, and allows contiguous states to become members. Texas is eligible to join the compact, but has not. 

Graphic credit: Southern Rail Commission