In a joint press conference today, the East Texas Council of Governments' Rural Transportation Planning Organization (ETCOG RTPO) and the City of Longview announced a pivotal development in the long-standing effort to establish an intercity passenger rail service along the I-20 Corridor. The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has officially designated the I-20 Corridor as one of the selected routes for the FY22 Corridor Identification and Development Program (CIDP).
The I-20 Corridor, connecting Dallas/Fort Worth to Atlanta, Georgia, via Mineola, Longview, Marshall in Texas, and northern Louisiana, has been the focus of collaborative efforts for nearly 17 years. The announcement was made at the Longview Depot/Multi-Modal Transportation Center during a press conference attended by key figures, including Chairman of the RTPO, Judge Leward LaFleur, Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt, and former Harrison County Judge Richard Anderson.
Chairman Judge LaFleur emphasized the significance of the FRA's grant designation, calling it a substantial step forward for the envisioned long-distance rail route. He highlighted East Texas as an ideal route, leveraging existing infrastructure for the development of new services.
Judge Stoudt expressed gratitude, acknowledging the benefits the east-west connection will bring to both urban and rural areas along the I-20 Corridor. The Southern Rail Commission successfully secured $500,000 for Step 1 of the program to seek funding for the project, which will serve cities in Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.
Congressman Nathaniel Moran emphasized the importance of the investment in a recent press release, stating that improving East Texas' infrastructure and connecting the First District to metropolitan areas along I-20 is crucial for long-term growth and prosperity.
The I-20 Corridor project falls under the FRA's New Conventional Rail category, operating at speeds of up to 79-125 mph primarily on existing rail alignments shared with other railroad operations. Funding for the FRA's Corridor ID program, allocated by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) passed in November 2021, is a significant step toward the project's implementation, with $16 billion designated for long-distance passenger rail routes, such as the I-20 Corridor.
Judge Anderson expressed appreciation for the collective efforts of governmental agencies, elected officials at the federal, state, and local levels, grassroots advocates, and other stakeholders who contributed to reaching this milestone. The designation positions the I-20 Corridor project for the next phases of substantial funding to advance toward the realization of intercity passenger rail service.
