The New Orleans Rail Gateway (NORG) is
a critical link in the Nation’s and Region’s transportation system. The NORG serves freight rail traffic for six Class 1 railroads and passenger
service for three Amtrak routes.
Studies dating back to 1975 have been conducted by the Louisiana DOTD, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), the New Orleans Regional
Planning Commission (NORPC) and the Class 1 railroads to identify ways to reduce rail congestion, highway crossing delays and improve rail
service. 
A 2007 Infrastructure Feasibility Assessment (2007 Study) identified two feasible alternatives to
reduce delay and improve rail service; by either improving the existing Back Belt through Old Metairie or creating and improving a new Middle
Belt along the Earhart Expressway/I-10 Corridor.
The DOTD and the FRA, in coordination with the NORPC, the Class 1 railroads, and Amtrak, began preparing an
Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in 2011, building upon these two feasible alternatives.
Initial stakeholder outreach indicated a lack
of consensus and polarized public opinion to the 2007 Study alternatives. Also, the 2007 Study projected freight growth but held Amtrak passenger
service at the current five trains daily. The 2011 EIS Study reflected an increase in passenger service to 62 passenger trains daily based on
previously prepared passenger rail corridor planning studies and the State Rail Plan, which would most likely adversely affect the improvements
being evaluated.
Recognizing these challenges, the DOTD and FRA
mutually agreed to temporarily suspend the EIS study until additional funding is secured to re-evaluate passenger train forecasts and possible
alternatives. Discussions with elected officials will then be held to gauge community support and Gateway-wide studies will continue when there is
consensus.