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The idea of rail service connecting Baton Rouge and New Orleans has not disappeared, but it has evolved.
Plans appear to be shifting away from the idea of high-speed light rail.
The Regional Planning Commission in New Orleans is now looking at more of an Amtrak-type service.
"This is a much more conservative approach," says the Commission's Deputy Director, Jeff Roesel. "And, we think, ultimately, a more cost-effective approach to providing service between the two cities."
It's not nearly as fast as original plans.
"The high-speed rail is typically over a hundred miles-an-hour," says Roesel. "This is more in line with 70 to 79 miles-an-hour."
The RPC is in the process of selecting consultants to assist in evaluating the possible service.
"It may not be at all feasible or it may be somewhat feasible, depending on what ideas we come up with. We'll give it our honest evaluation to present the upside and downside to that effort," Roesel says.
Roesel says about $300,000 is available for a number of studies related to engineering, stationary planning and financial analysis.
"Part of this effort is to help us quantify what the cost is and set some cost parameters to physically improve the existing corridor for the actual operation of the train."
Major upgrades would be needed to the existing rail line. As they are now, cars wouldn't be able to go more than 35 miles an hour.
Roesel says New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden feel rail service between their cities would be beneficial to both, boosting tourism.
An estimated 52,000 people travel between Baton Rouge and New Orleans on a daily basis.
Passenger rail service between the two cities was one of the major topics of interest at public meetings this past week to get input on revising the State Rail Plan. The state Department of Transportation and Development held the meetings.
State Rep. Walt Leger, D-New Orleans has been a major proponent of abandoning the high-speed concept for the commuter rail proposal.
Leger was recently elected chairman of the Southern Rail Commission, which could be a major player in the coming months and years as plans for New Orleans rail lines continue to take shape.
The agency has the ability to pull down millions in federal funds for studies and planning.
Leger also says reestablishing Amtrak's abandoned Sunset Limited line linking New Orleans to Jacksonville, Fla. is a possible future project. That line was abandoned in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Plans appear to be shifting away from the idea of high-speed light rail.
The Regional Planning Commission in New Orleans is now looking at more of an Amtrak-type service.
"This is a much more conservative approach," says the Commission's Deputy Director, Jeff Roesel. "And, we think, ultimately, a more cost-effective approach to providing service between the two cities."
It's not nearly as fast as original plans.
"The high-speed rail is typically over a hundred miles-an-hour," says Roesel. "This is more in line with 70 to 79 miles-an-hour."
The RPC is in the process of selecting consultants to assist in evaluating the possible service.
"It may not be at all feasible or it may be somewhat feasible, depending on what ideas we come up with. We'll give it our honest evaluation to present the upside and downside to that effort," Roesel says.
Roesel says about $300,000 is available for a number of studies related to engineering, stationary planning and financial analysis.
"Part of this effort is to help us quantify what the cost is and set some cost parameters to physically improve the existing corridor for the actual operation of the train."
Major upgrades would be needed to the existing rail line. As they are now, cars wouldn't be able to go more than 35 miles an hour.
Roesel says New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu and Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden feel rail service between their cities would be beneficial to both, boosting tourism.
An estimated 52,000 people travel between Baton Rouge and New Orleans on a daily basis.
Passenger rail service between the two cities was one of the major topics of interest at public meetings this past week to get input on revising the State Rail Plan. The state Department of Transportation and Development held the meetings.
State Rep. Walt Leger, D-New Orleans has been a major proponent of abandoning the high-speed concept for the commuter rail proposal.
Leger was recently elected chairman of the Southern Rail Commission, which could be a major player in the coming months and years as plans for New Orleans rail lines continue to take shape.
The agency has the ability to pull down millions in federal funds for studies and planning.
Leger also says reestablishing Amtrak's abandoned Sunset Limited line linking New Orleans to Jacksonville, Fla. is a possible future project. That line was abandoned in the wake of Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
