ASCENSION PARISH, LA (WAFB) -
By a unanimous vote, Ascension
Parish got up to speed with the Intrastate Rail Compact Thursday night.
The
initiative is made up of board members from Baton Rouge, New Orleans and now
Ascension Parish.
Beginning in March, this group
will analyze results from current cost feasibility studies aimed at getting a
passenger rail system up and running between the Capitol and Crescent cities
and points in between.
"This is going to be monumental
for their children and their children's children and I truly believe we can do
this, we just have to set our mind to it and I'm determined to be a part of
it," said Councilwoman Teri Casso.
The compact will also determine
what federal funds may be available for what will be needed improvements to
existing tracks and infrastructure.
"There's a lot of enthusiasm
around the project how long will it take well these studies that will come out
are really going to lay out that picture," said Rachel DiResto of the Center
for Planning Excellence.
When and if this project truly
rolls ahead remains to be seen but for Casso, who is a member of Ascension
Parish's compact board, it will be worth the wait.
"I would suspect that there
certainly will be a charge to ride the train but there was when my grandmother
went so I'm just terribly excited," said Casso.
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