RIDGELAND, Miss. — A federal grant seeks almost $179 million to fund improvements for Amtrak Gulf Coast service between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala., while CSX Transportation will pay almost $10 million toward the matching funds for those improvements, according to a news report.
The non-profit news site Mississippi Today reports the Alabama State Port Authority will contribute $750,000 as part of the $44 million in matching funds toward the project. Amtrak is contributing $6 million. The total of about $223 million would address some 12 separate areas where improvements are needed — projects such as new switches and turnouts, siding extensions, crossovers, and station, yard, and crossing improvements.
The news site received a copy of the Southern Rail Commission’s application for a Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant through a Freedom of Information Act request.
Amtrak, CSX, Norfolk Southern, and the Port Authority reached agreement on a deal allowing Gulf Coast service last month, avoiding a precedent-setting Surface Transportation Board ruling on Amtrak’s ability to start service despite what the freight railroads said would be “unreasonable impairment” of their operations [see “Amtrak, freight railroads say they have a deal …,” Trains News Wire, Nov. 22, 2022].
Since then, the parties have offered no details on that agreement, saying it is confidential. Amtrak did say at a Southern Rail Commission meeting last week that it would start service sometime in 2023, although it did not specify whether it would initially operate just one or two round trips. Since it took its effort to launch Gulf Coast service to the STB in 2021, its intent has been to run two daily round trips.
The application says the infrastructure will take until 2026 to complete, but that the Amtrak trains can run while the bulk of improvements are being made. Among other details, the Mississippi Today report also notes that CSX will build a new station track in Mobile, allowing trains to stop there without blocking the main line.
Southern Rail Commission chairman Knox Ross told Mississippi Today the improvements would result in a 3-hour, 23-minute running time for the Gulf Coast trains, but declined further comment. An Amtrak spokesman declined to comment on the report to Trains News Wire.
Ya’ll do realize that those improvements for the Sunset going east were made THIRTY YEARS AGO, right? That started in 1993. Yes, I know that was just a few years ago, but it wasn’t. This article called all of us OLD.
That’s like saying “Why does Amtrak need new cars? These ones from 1941 are JUST FINE” in 1971. News flash. They were not.
As usual, so much whingeing on here, but nothing constructive.
Making transportation systems (even privately owned ones that the public has an interest in) more efficient benefits everyone, passengers, freight customers and the public at large.
Let us not forget that taxpayers fund airports and highways for over a century benefiting airlines, bus and trucking companies! Seaports are also publicly funded for barge lines, sea freighters and cruise ships.
I believe the government should be more involved with railroad infrastructure improvements and modernization. Similar to how highway users benefit from government assistance and management. Maybe they can turn the table and make it so the freight companies begin offering more services again. They had a well rounded offering of services until the decline set in. A 28 minute New York Central railroad promotional video from the 1950s ends with Alfred Perlman making a plea about government subsidized competition. Too bad his advice was ignored and the rail network decline began to accelerate and still seems to be going on. At least an initial influx to modernize train routes into a free flowing network. The interstate highway act of the 1950s
gave trucks their free flowing network. https://youtu.be/RBIZWBeLrAk
Probably would have been better potential for such expense somewhere more deserving than this short stretch. Also, don’t forget Megabus is operating on a bankrupt Hwy system that was gifted with most of the $$$ from the Infrastructure Bill.
Let us not forget that taxpayers fund airports and highways for over a century benefiting airlines, bus and trucking companies!
Megabus will do it in 2 Hr 30 Min for $39.99 at 10.00 AM tomorrow (Monday) from NOL. Cheaper fares later next week.
The Sunset Limited was only 3 round trips a week. Now they will have to deal with 2 trains in one day.
CHRISTOPHE —- Shakedowns seem to be much more expensive the second time around.
My recollection is that $6 million was spent when the Sunset Limited was extended. Sounds like this work is another level.
A successful CSX shakedown of taxpayers to build longer sidings so their 15,000 foot trains can now pass one another. Now they’ll be able to have east and west bounds meet and pass. All on the public’s dime! Why have CapEx spending come out of dividends, buybacks and executive compensation when the taxpayers foot the bill? Corporate welfare at its best!
Exactly and this on top of the millions of tax dollars spent on this same line back when the Sunset Limited was extended east of New Orleans.