SHREVEPORT, La. -- Planes, trains and automobiles are the three main modes of transportation across the United States. For the past 56 years, Shreveport/Bossier City residents have only been able to access two of those modes locally.

Kansas City Southern ended passenger train operations here in 1969. The station burned to the ground just a couple days after closing.

There hasn't been passenger rail service in Shreveport/Bossier City since then. But that could be changing.

"I would say about an 85% chance that this project is going to happen," said Dinero Washington, SporTran CEO.

SporTran City on Texas Avenue has been approved to be the new Amtrak train station in Shreveport. Hard to see it now, but Washington said there are rail lines located below SporTran City.

"There's actually four sets of rails behind us, which opens up to a better opportunity because that gives us four trains being run through here without the host railroads being blocked," he added.

The Texas Eagle Amtrak train that goes to Longview, Texas, will now move over to Meridian, Miss., adding stops in Shreveport, Monroe and Ruston, said Washington.

Those three Louisiana cities have applied for a joint grant to help fund the project and the State of Louisiana has already invested over $10 million.

"The first floor is a complete food court. It's a food court and retail space. So we'll have a convenience store inside. We'll have food for those patrons that are using SporTran, Greyhound and Amtrak services," said Washington.

Also inside will be unmanned kiosks for people who want to get on board the Texas Eagle going east or west.

As for the timeline, Washington said, "I think we're about two to three years I think at this point in time from having a test or temporary service in Shreveport and probably about five years from having the larger service here in our market."

This service would make it possible to take a passenger train from California to New York through Shreveport via Dallas and Atlanta.

All Aboard: Amtrak could be headed to Shreveport