Louisiana and Amtrak agree to resume rail service between New Orleans and Baton Rouge

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) – Louisiana is one step closer to connecting its capital city to New Orleans with a restored rail line.

Gov. John Bel Edwards has signed a service expansion agreement that may speed up the return of intercity passenger rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, about an hour’s commute away.

The agreement signed on Thursday is a breakthrough for the project, which has been in progress since 2008.

“For the eight years I was governor, I worked to restore rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans,” Edwards said WBRZ-TV.

According to the agreement, passenger service could start as early as 2027. The plan is to launch one round-trip cruise per day. As the variety of competitors increases, more runs will likely be added. Passengers can expect stops in Gonzales, Laplace and Jefferson Parish along the route.

“An Amtrak line connecting Louisiana’s capital city with the state’s largest metropolitan area will bring enormous economic benefits to both cities and the parishes between them,” Edwards said in a news release.

“Not only will this service potentially reduce the number of vehicles on the road, resulting in less congestion, but it will also connect communities through employment opportunities and provide more transport options for festivals, sporting events and concerts.”

The $20 million Road Home settlement helps fund the project, reviving passenger train service that stopped running in 1969.

“This project is just one of many ways to advance Louisiana’s infrastructure,” said Department of Transportation and Development Secretary Eric Kalivoda. “This will serve commuters and also expand tourism opportunities by providing a safe and reliable transportation system.”

“In survey after survey here in Louisiana AND nationally, When given the option to take the train over driving, the public chooses Amtrak and passenger trains,” said Amtrak CEO Stephen Gardner.

The proposed route is predicted to take 75 to 90 minutes. Amtrak will release flight schedules and prices closer to the launch of the brand new service.

Amtrak will use tracks currently on site and owned by Canadian Pacific Kansas City and CN Railways. The tracks run along the I-10 corridor connecting New Orleans with Baton Rouge. The modernization of the infrastructure along the route will begin next yr.

The governor’s office said the brand new route will connect the New Orleans corridor with Mobile, which is scheduled to open in 2024. These routes will join the Sunset Limited, City of New Orleans and Crescent lines on Amtrak’s route schedule in Louisiana.