WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration’s Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program will provide Louisiana $5.81 million to improve railroad services between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Sen. Bill Cassidy announced Tuesday. 

The Louisiana Department of Transportation will use the funding to replace five railroad bridges along the Canadian Pacific Kansas City Limited rail line between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. This will make freight rail service safer between those two cities and lay the groundwork for an eventual, long-delayed, passenger rail route, according to Cassidy. 

The $8.3 million project is a public-private partnership between DOTD and CPKC combining the $5.81 million in federal funding with a $2.49 million private investment from CPKC.

“This grant brings us one step closer to a passenger rail line between Baton Rouge and New Orleans,” Cassidy said. “It will also make our rail lines safer for freight trains. This is a win for Louisiana.”

The grant will support project development, final design and construction to replace five railroad bridges in St. James and St. Charles parishes. When completed, this project is expected to increase safety, lower maintenance costs and reduce both service disruptions and freight travel times along the affected rail lines.

The five bridges cross Blind River Slough, Tchackehou Bayou, Bayou La Trainase, the St. James Parish Canal and an unnamed canal. Two of the structures are within the town of Lutcher, and three are outside municipal boundaries.

The structures have an estimated one to five years of remaining useful life and currently require more than $200,000 in annual maintenance. Their replacement will reduce maintenance needs, service interruptions and restrictions on train speeds.

“This award is a major step toward strengthening one of Louisiana’s most important freight corridors and laying the groundwork for future passenger rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans,” DOTD Secretary Glenn Ledet said. “Replacing these aging structures will help goods move safely and reliably while supporting long-term economic growth across southeast Louisiana.”

The CPKC route currently carries freight and has been identified as the preferred route for future passenger rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans.