Amtrak updates STB on status of future Gulf Coast service

Amtrak recently provided the Surface Transportation Board with an update on the status of the railroad's plans to return passenger service along the Gulf Coast.

Amtrak has been in discussions with CSX, Norfolk Southern Railway, the Alabama State Port Authority and the Terminal Railway Alabama State Docks to begin providing rail service between Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans. Amtrak hasn’t served the area since Hurricane Katrina struck the region in 2005.

In May, the STB mandated that the parties provide regular status reports on their plans to restart passenger-rail service. CSX and NS are involved because Amtrak trains would operate on the freight railroads’ tracks.

In this latest report, Amtrak and the parties reported:

• Amtrak and the Federal Railroad Administration finalized their discussions about the general terms and conditions of a federal Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) grant issued to cover infrastructure costs related to the project. Amtrak is working with the Mississippi Department of Transportation to identify suitable alternative grade crossings; as a result, Amtrak expects to finalize project-specific terms and conditions under the CRISI grant in July.
• CSX is reviewing plans calling for certain utilities owned and used by the city of Mobile to be relocated as part of the Mobile Station track construction project. Relocation of the utilities will require additional environmental and Alabama State Historical Preservation Office reviews, which will affect the timing of restoring passenger-rail service.
• Amtrak is developing a draft request for proposal and scope of work for environmental review for the projects covered by the CRISI grant funds. Amtrak and CSX have continued their weekly project team meetings to advance preliminary design work and environmental review for the CRISI grant agreement projects that will be built on CSX. 
• Amtrak and Mobile city officials are making “good” progress in resolving issues related to a lease agreement for the Mobile Station project and the requirement for operating support for restoring Amtrak service.

The status report to the STB also said that on June 11, the Mobile mayor’s office announced that the state of Alabama and port officials have agreed to contribute to the $3 million in operating support that is required for the Restoration and Enhancement Grant match. The Mobile City Council is expected to consider and vote on the operating-support funding agreement and the project’s lease agreement in a matter of weeks, the report states.

The entire status report can be read here.