Manning partnered with HNTB to create a strategic business plan for the implementation of intercity passenger rail service between Baton Rouge and New Orleans. The regional transportation initiative considers capital and operating costs, financing strategies, economic development opportunities, the public-private organizational and financial structures needed to implement the new service, and strategies for harnessing economic growth to fund capital improvements and operations. The plan addresses the strategy needed to maximize the benefits of passenger rail by ensuring station locations are in close proximity to diverse residential and nonresidential land uses, provide direct access to regional and local amenities, maximize connectivity within the existing street grid, connect to communities’ existing greenway systems, contain land available for development, and provide opportunities for place-making and community building. Additionally, the plan suggests sample rail operations schedules and justification for proposed station locations.

Manning evaluated locations and developed designs for rail stations with the goal of creating mixed-use multi-modal transportation hubs, following Transit Oriented Design (TOD) principles. Manning based designs for the seven stations on goals of regional connectivity, walkability, sustainability, place-making, and feasibility. Phase I focused on the Baton Rouge area locations and was funded by the Southern Rail Commission and Baton Rouge Area Foundation. Phase II developed the TOD designs for the seven stations and was funded by LADOTD.