BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Birmingham and three Mississippi communities will receive Federal Railroad Administration funds from the Southern Rail Commission for station work in preparation for the resumption of Amtrak service between New Orleans and Mobile, Ala.
Birmingham will receive $250,000, while Gulfport, Miss., will receive $246,500; Bay St. Louis, Miss., will receive $270,000; and Pascagoula, Miss., will receive $186,000. The grants require a local match of the same amount.
The funds are to help ensure safe access and better connectivity at the stations, can can be used for such items as lighting, sidewalks, parking areas, and surrounding area development.
“As we anticipate the return of Gulf Coast service in early 2022, I am so proud to provide this funding to these cities which leverages their local investment in preparing their stations to be ready for the return of passenger rail,” Knox Ross, commission chairman, said in a press release. “Local leaders have been committed to these projects and have expressed incredible enthusiasm about the economic growth that passenger rail will bring to our member states and the Gulf Coast.”
Amtrak intends to begin service on the New Orleans-Mobile route in January 2022, but plans are pending a decision by the Surface Transportation Board on Amtrak’s right of access on the route [see “Amtrak asks STB to require CSX, NS to allow Gulf Coast service,” Trains News Wire, March 16, 2021].
The Birmingham grant is part of the political route, not the Gulf route.
Southern Rail Commission is between LA, MS and AL. It’s not exclusive to the NO-Mobile route but’s purpose is as they say “promote the safe, reliable and efficient movement of people and goods to enhance economic development along rail corridors; provide transportation choices; and facilitate emergency evacuation routes.”
Correct, the Birmingham grant isn’t part of the NO-Mobile route. It is part of the SRC and the news release announcing the grants.
Further, I looked into some of the local reporting on this grant. From what I can gather, they want to improve the platforms and access, among other things. Yes, Birmingham has a nice shiny new station, at least the ticketing and waiting area. But I can say from personal experience, once you head towards the train, you literally walk through the old waiting room, up the shabby steps, and emerge onto the old, crumbing platform. Anyone using a wheelchair or who can’t otherwise negotiate the steps has to be taken on the freight elevator that’s used for baggage. Although the new front of the station is really nice, the actual arrival and departure experience at the platform leaves much to be desired. Hopefully this grant will help improve that experience.
I think we to understand that pork production is up in Birmingham.
Perhaps they meant to say Mobile instead of Birmingham?
Nope, never mind. The press release says “Birmingham’s project will create seamless connections for travelers between long distance passenger rail and local transit service through its beautiful multimodal station” which, as has been pointed out, has nothing to do with the Gulf Coast service.
Not sure how money for the Birmingham station has anything to do with the Gulf Coast route?
My question exactly, Mr. McK.