Lt. Gov. Hears NW La. Amtrak Proposal

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Supporters of a proposal for 80 mph passenger trains between Shreveport-Bossier City and Dallas-Fort Worth have told Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne that the project wouldn't be very expensive or difficult.

Dardenne tells the Times he can see obvious benefits. He says the project appears "doable" on the surface, but he wants to see results of a feasibility study expected to be completed by March.

Richard Anderson is chairman of the East Texas Corridor Council, which is promoting the project along with the mayors of Bossier City and Shreveport and area lawmakers. He says the track is there, Amtrak is willing to provide the trains and likelihood of getting steady passengers is high.

Anderson says Texas and Louisianaeach would provide $1.5 million a year for operating costs.