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Amtrak one step closer to coming to Vicksburg
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In a meeting held on Thursday at Vicksburg City Hall, Amtrak and the Southern Rail Commission (SRC) unveiled details of their joint application for federal funding. The application aims to extend the long-distance Amtrak Crescent train from Meridian, Mississippi, in order to establish a vital connection between the major metropolitan areas of New York, Washington, Atlanta, Dallas and Fort Worth. The proposed route would also encompass communities in Central Mississippi, North Louisiana and East Texas through the I-20 Corridor.
This ambitious project has been a subject of exploration by Amtrak and its partners for over two decades. However, last year’s Congressional passage of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act has created new opportunities to investigate the feasibility of expanding long-distance Amtrak services.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) Federal-State Partnership Program will consider funding the study if it demonstrates a solid business case for a direct link between the Northeast Corridor and the rapidly growing regions in the South and West. Should the study receive funding and substantiate the feasibility of the project, Amtrak plans to collaborate with the SRC and other stakeholders to secure federal capital and operating support for the initiation of the service.
The extension of the long-distance Amtrak Crescent train would mark a significant milestone, as it would be the first time in decades that Amtrak has expanded a long-distance railway. The decision on the grant application is expected to be announced in the fall. Construction could start within the next decade.
The proposed I-20 Rail Corridor service would connect the thriving mega-regions of Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta with the economies and populations of Northern Louisiana and beyond. This enhanced connectivity would be achieved through seamless connections with Amtrak’s Texas Eagle, City of New Orleans and Crescent trains. The passenger rail service would offer a compelling transportation alternative to congested travel along the I-10 corridor, particularly in light of diminishing regional airport services.
The introduction of rail service would provide a lifeline for residents, connecting them to the international airport in Dallas-Fort Worth. To assess the transportation needs along the I-20 corridor, the I-20 East Texas Corridor Advisory Committee was established in August 2013, offering localized input and recommendations for assessing passenger rail services.
The Southern Rail Commission continues to partner with the I-20 Corridor Council to support their endeavors. Feasibility studies have been conducted by various entities, including the East Texas Corridor Council, the NW Louisiana Council of Governments and Mississippi, which is set to evaluate passenger rail service from Vicksburg to Meridian, pending state funding.
The Rail Passengers Association conducted an Economic Impact Assessment on Amtrak’s proposal. The assessment highlighted that the extension of service on the Crescent route from Meridian, Mississippi, to Fort Worth, Texas, alongside a modified service on the Crescent’s current route to New Orleans, could generate approximately $50.7 million annually in new economic benefits to the communities
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