Communter Rail between NOLA and Baton Rouge

Some updates to add to this thread: Nagin supports a commuter rail between BR and NOLA

http://www.2theadvocate.com/news/6718952.html?showAll=y&c=y

New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin said Monday the unprecedented disaster that was Hurricane Katrina has left the city and state with unprecedented opportunities to take bold steps to speed the recovery process.

Those stops include creating a commuter rail system linking the Crescent City to Baton Rouge and phasing out the state’s personal income tax over five years.

The mayor also said it would be smart to connect New Orleans to Baton Rouge via a commuter rail system.

Such a project would require a three-year commitment of $40 million to $50 million, he said.

“It’s not that expensive,’’ he said, adding the system should be designed with the flexibility to expand across the region.

Nagin said now is the time, with a state budget surplus and federal recovery dollars flowing into the state, to invest aggressively in infrastructure projects around the state.