WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration will provide $5.81 million to improve railroad services between Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Sen. Bill Cassidy announced Tuesday. 

The funding will be used to replace five aging railroad bridges 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. 

“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.