An important step has occurred in bringing passenger rail service to north Louisiana. The Federal Railroad Administration has awarded a 500-thousand dollar planning grant to the Southern Rail Commission. Commissioner Knox Ross says this money will determine what’s needed to bring passenger rail service to the I-20 Corridor.
“Very exciting time that we are now officially on the map and that’s exactly where we want to be,” said Ross.
The proposed rail line would connect Dallas-Fort Worth to Atlanta, with stops in Shreveport, Ruston, Monroe and Vicksburg, Mississippi. Ross says passenger rail service would bring economic development to these cities, especially their downtown areas.
“It’s not just a train, it’s hope for each city, bringing people to your communities to allow you to compete for the economic development that it brings,” said Ross.
The mayors of Shreveport, Ruston and Monroe were in attendance for the announcement. The press conference was held in downtown Monroe. Mayor Friday Ellis spoke of at the site of a proposed train station.
“They step off they’ll be within distance of a new Hilton tapestry, with world-class dining, and they’ll be experience the communities and downtowns that we love and brag about each and every day,” said Ross.
Officials say now is the time to build an I-20 passenger line with millions of dollars available as a result of the 2021 federal infrastructure law.
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