Congressman Mike Ezell welcomed the award of over $178 million from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) to restore a passenger rail route along the Mississippi Gulf Coast.

"Bringing passenger rail service back to the Gulf Coast means more jobs and even more tourism for our coastal communities," said Congressman Ezell. "As a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I'm proud of the work we've done to strengthen rail infrastructure in South Mississippi and our entire state."

The Amtrak line will reconnect New Orleans, LA, and Mobile, AL, with stops in Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, and Pascagoula. The project is funded under the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. 

“This funding is a major step toward the return of passenger rail service to the Gulf Coast and will lead to improved access and economic opportunity for the people of Mississippi and the Coastal South,” said John Robert Smith, Chairman of Transportation for America. “We look forward to continuing our work with Representative Ezell to advance safe, accessible, well-connected transportation throughout Mississippi.”

"The Southern Rail Commission is pleased to have played an integral role in the successful CRISI grant award," Southern Rail Commissioner Knox Ross said. "From our first meeting with Congressman Ezell, he has actively supported this project and others, such as the North Rail Connector in Pascagoula, that will add to an already excellent quality of life on our Coast.  We look forward to soon being able to say 'Y’all Aboard!'."