Soon, you’ll be able to catch a train from New Orleans again. Amtrak has received another $21 million from the Federal Railroad Administration to restart the New Orleans to Mobile passenger line. The line was suspended in 2005, but New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter says this money — along with a grant from 2023 — should be enough to get things going again.
“This is another $21 million on top of the $176 million grant, which brings us to the final stage of making this happen,” he explains.
The line was suspended after Hurricane Katrina destroyed the necessary infrastructure. Carter says the grant money will be used to revive the rail line and all its benefits.
“It’s economically friendly, it is environmentally friendly… it’s good all the way around,” he adds. “It’s a win-win for the state and for our region.”
Carter says this could also help underprivileged areas along the line by, “giving people an opportunity to enhance their economic opportunities to work in other parishes and have access to jobs that may be challenging to get to by vehicle.”
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