The proposed I-20 rail corridor project came one step closer to reality when the Federal Railroad Administration announced a $500,000 grant on Dec. 8.

The grant will fund a study of the feasibility of passenger rail service to connect Marshall with Meridian, Miss. along existing tracks that parallel Interstate 20.

That connection will open eastbound rail service from the current Amtrak service through Mineola from Dallas to Marshall all the way to Atlanta, Ga. and beyond.

There is existing rail between Marshall and Meridian but has not had passenger service in decades.

The proposed passenger rail connection has been touted by regional officials for many years, and at a news conference in Longview last Tuesday, Gregg County Judge Bill Stoudt said there is no timetable yet, but it could be another 10 to 15 years away.

He noted the importance of passenger rail to regional economic development.

The study, which is not the first for the proposed service, would identify the needs of the project so that next steps could be taken to plan and implement passenger service.

Wood County Judge Kevin White, Mineola City Manager Mercy Rushing and Main Street Manager Doris Newman attended the news conference.