BATON ROUGE - More than $2 million in federal funds will go to 11 communities in three southern states to restore and improve passenger rail service.

The Southern Rail Commission on Monday announced the Federal Railroad Administration funding for the communities in Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana.

The communities will get money for station-area planning and construction projects to improve safety, access and convenience.

Four Alabama cities are among those chosen: Anniston, Birmingham, Mobile and Tuscaloosa. Mississippi also has four cities that will get funds: Bay St. Louis, Biloxi, Gulfport and Pascagoula. In Louisiana, the cities of Baton Rouge and Gonzales, as well as St. John Parish, will benefit.

Funds will be made available early in the new year, and projects are expected to be completed within two years of receipt of funds.