On Thursday, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) and City of Monroe Mayor Friday Ellis welcomed leaders and stakeholders from Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Alabama as they convened to discuss funding opportunities to bring the I-20 Corridor Passenger Rail Service from conversation to implementation.
The I-20 Corridor represents an ongoing effort to connect the economies and residents of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Georgia with passenger rail service. The proposed service spans from the mega-region of Dallas-Fort Worth to Atlanta through connections with Amtrak’s Texas Eagle, City of New Orleans, and Crescent trains with new stations proposed in Monroe, Shreveport/Bossier, Ruston, and Vicksburg.
The meeting, hosted in partnership with the Southern Rail Commission (SRC) and Transportation for America, consisted of project updates, plans for stations presented by communities along the corridor, passenger rail funding opportunities and coordination on next steps. Attendees included the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Amtrak, Canadian Pacific, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS), Sen. Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), along with state and local elected officials, and passenger rail stakeholders from Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas, and Alabama.
“Today’s event reflects an incredibly exciting time for passenger rail service,” said FRA Administrator Amit Bose. “Today also reflects the strong collaboration and success of the SRC and its partners, providing an example of what we would like to see happen across the country. The I-20 Corridor has tremendous potential, and the FRA is eager to continue working with state and local leaders in planning and pursuing funding for passenger rail service.”
Sen. Cassidy spearheaded the convening and noted the powerful collaboration of federal, state, and local leaders and stakeholders who gathered at the event to support the passenger rail effort.
“This is about how we can build economic development for Louisiana, Mississippi, and east Texas in a way that makes life better for those who live there,” Sen. Cassidy said. “One of the ways we move forward is through better transportation and infrastructure. To succeed, we have to have vision, strategy, and cooperation. This conference gives us the strategy and cooperation to do that. Now we just have to execute.”
“It was an honor to host leaders and stakeholders from across state lines to discuss a project that is vital in driving future economic opportunities for northeastern Louisiana,” said Mayor Ellis. “The City of Monroe is eager to take advantage of this opportunity to bring new visitors to our city and showcase the incredible things we have underway in Monroe.”
In 2021, Canadian Pacific Railway proposed a merger with Kansas City Southern freight railroad, and once approved, is committed to partnering with Amtrak who would operate passenger rail service on the tracks along the I-20 Corridor. Over 30 local organizations from across the southern region previously submitted resolutions supporting this merger and the passenger rail service, illustrating a shared vision for a connected I-20 Corridor.
The recent passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, supported in large part by Sens. Cassidy and Wicker, increases the likelihood of the project coming to fruition, providing $66 million in funding for passenger and freight rail service.
The FRA has expressed strong support for expanding the national long-distance passenger rail system and expressed their commitment to serving states that benefit from greater connectivity.
“The Southern Rail Commission expresses its gratitude to Senator Cassidy, Senator Wicker, Senator Hyde-Smith, the Federal Railroad Administration, and other key stakeholders who are committed to the vision of the I-20 Corridor project for their diligent efforts to ensure this project obtains the resources it needs,” stated Knox Ross, SRC chairman. “With funding available, an agreeable freight, and strong leadership at the state, local, and national level, we are confident that this project will soon be underway.”
The SRC is leading conversations on passenger rail service initiatives to connect the south with comprehensive railways. More information on the commission’s mission, projects, and history can be found online at www.southernrailcommission.org.