Amtrak is looking to expand, with its eye on the Metroplex.

Amtrak has applied for $716 million in federal funds for 16 projects including the extension of its I-20 corridor service to Fort Worth. If approved, passengers could use Amtrak to travel from the Metroplex to Shreveport in Louisiana, Atlanta, Washington D.C. and New York City.

The project would use existing tracks to fill a 345-mile gap between Marshall, Texas, and Meridian, Mississippi. The result would create an East-West connection between the Lone Star State and the East Coast, as well as a transcontinental connection between Los Angeles and New York City, according to the I-20 Corridor Council.

The proposal would use tracks owned by Trinity Railway Express between Fort Worth and Dallas; Union Pacific from Dallas to Shreveport; Kansas City Southern from Bossier City to Meridian; and Norfolk Southern from Meridian to Atlanta.

“Amtrak’s long distance routes are vital mobility and economic links for communities around the country, and we’re continually working to enhance them,” said Amtrak board chair Tony Coscia in a statement.

A Rail Passengers Association study published in March suggested that extending Amtrak’s Crescent route from Mississippi to Fort Worth could generate as much as $50.7 million in economic benefits to a dozen communities served, and $207 million to Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.

The existing Amtrak routes in the Metroplex can take passengers from Fort Worth to Oklahoma City, Austin and San Antonio, and from Dallas to Little Rock, Arkansas and St. Louis, Missouri.

U.S. Rep. Colin Allred, D-Dallas, said the proposed project is possible due to the bipartisan infrastructure bill passed in 2021.

“As Texas continues to grow, we need more transportation options to give folks the flexibility they need to travel and connect our communities,” Allred said. “Building long-distance rail along the I-20 corridor will benefit folks from Dallas to Longview and all the way to Louisiana – all while helping to grow our economy.”

A trip on rail from Dallas to Atlanta takes one day, and two days to Washington and New York City. The Amtrak project would aim to lessen travel times and improve the reliability of long-distance travel.

“This infrastructure will set the groundwork toward revitalizing historic downtowns across the First District of Texas and catalyzing local economic development, while expanding opportunities in these communities,” said Nathaniel Moran, congressman for the first district of Texas. “Thank you to Amtrak for their support and recognition of the need to expand much-needed transit across East Texas through the I-20 Passenger Rail Corridor project.”

This story was originally published June 6, 2023, 11:03 AM.