BATON ROUGE — A poll has found strong support for creation of a passenger rail service between New Orleans and Baton Rouge.
The poll, funded by business interest in the two cities, found about 75% of respondents were supportive of the idea after hearing the train would offer an alternative to driving between the cities. And 85% said its “important” or “very important” to have such a rail link, the Baton Rouge Advocate reports.
The poll surveyed 1,050 registered voters in the area and has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.9%. It was commissioned by the Southern Rail Commission, Baton Rouge Area Chamber, and GNO Inc.
The project, estimated at $260 million, would make two daily round trips between the two cities, roughly 80 miles apart. The poll also found 70% of respondents foresaw using the train to get to events at the Superdome and other New Orleans sporting events, and 60% would ride it to attend Louisiana State University events in Baton Rouge.
