The project will support the operation of restored intercity passenger rail service from new orleans, louisiana, to mobile, alabama along the gulf coast

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) awarded the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) $38.7 million under the Restoration and Enhancement (CFDA 20.324) program to support the operation of restored intercity passenger rail service between New Orleans, Louisiana, and Mobile, Alabama along the Gulf Coast. The award, effective July 1, 2025, with a completion date of February 28, 2029, funds the twice-daily round-trip state-supported service with six station stops across Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. This service restores connectivity previously suspended in August 2005 following Hurricane Katrina and fills a critical geographic gap in Amtrak's national network.

The grant deliverables include project administration and management tasks, operating revenue service implementation, and equipment capital charges. Key deliverables comprise a project management plan, signed revenue match agreements between state and local sponsors (Louisiana, Mississippi, and the City of Mobile, with support from the Alabama State Port Authority) and Amtrak, amended agreements with host railroads (CSX and Norfolk Southern), updated Amtrak agreements and payment schedules for both operating and equipment services, and performance reporting throughout the funding period. The service represents a collaborative effort among state, local, and private entities to restore Gulf Coast intercity rail passenger connectivity.

IT will foster economic development, enhance connectivity, provide other non-transportation benefits to the gulf coast region, and fill a critical geographic GAP in amtraks national network. The gulf coast region was previously served by amtraks TRI-weekly sunset limited long-distance service. Amtrak suspended service between new orleans, louisiana, and orlando, florida, in august 2005 due to hurricane katrina, which caused extensive damage to the rail infrastructure over which the service operated. The twice daily round trip state-supported service will make six station stops in new orleans, louisiana BAY ST. Louis, mississippi gulfport, mississippi biloxi, mississippi pascagoula, mississippi and mobile, alabama. Gulf coast service will be sponsored by the state of louisiana, the state of mississippi, and the city of mobile, alabama which is receiving contribution funding from the alabama state port authority (port).task 1: project administration and management deliverable ID subtask deliverable NAME1.1 1.2 project management PLAN1.2 1.3 signed 209 r e match agreements (as applicable) between the state local sponsors and AMTRAK1.3 1.3 amended agreements between amtrak and host railroads (CSX, NS)1.4 1.4 performance REPORTS1.5 1.5 final performance reporttask 2: operating revenue servicedeliverable ID subtask deliverable NAME2.1 n a updated amtrak agreements and payment schedules task 3: equipment capital chargesdeliverable ID subtask deliverable NAME3.1 n a updated amtrak agreements and payment schedules (the same deliverable as submitted for task 2)