Amtrak To Pay For Platform Repairs

Following plans to resume passenger service across the Gulf Coast early next year (Amtrak To Return Next Year), Amtrak has announced it will pay for the repairs and upgrades needed at the train stops along the route, AL.com reports. Though dependent on Federal Railroad Administration approval, work would be done over the next several months on the old platforms between Mobile and New Orleans. Plans include upgrading existing Americans With Disabilities Act-compliant platforms and installing signage and lightning where needed. While cities would be required to assist in improvements to roadways and parking lots leading to the platforms, the source said “it’s unclear how much, if any, additional money Mobile is willing to spend for the project. City officials tabled last month an $80,000 expenditure for an alternative train station analysis to study a possible Amtrak depot at the Brookley Aeroplex that would locate near a future commercial airport. That amount represents half of the study’s $160,200 cost that would also be supported with federal money managed by the Southern Rail Commission.” There have also been unaddressed concerns on how the passenger line would affect freight rail operations. Amtrak said it has already begun hiring staff to support the new service.