"Amtrak's Gulf Coast Route Gains Momentum with Millions in Funding"

Amtrak has been awarded a $178.4 million grant by the Transportation Department to fund track and signal work, crossing upgrades, and station improvements necessary to restore passenger train service along the Gulf Coast, nearly 18 years after Hurricane Katrina. The project aims to connect New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, with two daily round trips, including stops in Mississippi cities. The grant will cover 80% of the $223 million in improvements, with the remaining 20% contributed by the railroads and the states. The funding is part of Amtrak's $75 billion plan to expand its services to more cities and towns.