The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) announced the allocation of $500,000 in Corridor Identification and Development Program (CIDP) funding to the Louisiana Department of Transportation (DOTD) to support further planning and development for the Baton Rouge to New Orleans corridor. The Southern Rail Commission also received $500,000 for the Mobile to New Orleans corridor and $500,000 for the I-20 corridor.

The CIDP funding will supplement other federal, state, and local funds committed to these corridors to support the development of corridor scope, schedule, and cost estimates for the preparation, completion, and documentation of service development plans for passenger rail service across these multiple corridors. By being accepted into the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)’s program, these projects are anticipated to receive future funding allocations and move seamlessly through each phase of development toward implementation of service.

The appropriation was made possible by Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Committee on Finance and lead negotiator on the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

“The Southern Rail Commission has been steadfastly committed to expanding passenger rail service across our three states and this grant allows us to continue our efforts in a more robust way as we get closer to the start of service along these corridors,” said Knox Ross, Chairman of the Southern Rail Commission. “We are immensely grateful to our partners at the local, state, and federal level, especially Senators Cassidy, Wicker, and Hyde-Smith, along with Congressman Graves and Carter, that have championed this work and advocated for the funding allocations that keep our projects moving forward.”

The FRA’s selection of these corridors reflects the agency’s interest in advancing the development, implementation, and operation of passenger rail service. More information on the SRC’s priority projects and recent progress can be found online at southernrailcommission.org