BIRMINGHAM, Alabama -- The train hasn't yet arrived for a new rail line leaving Birmingham, but the idea could happen if a newly funded study concludes it is possible.

The Birmingham City Council this morning approved $50,000 as the city's portion of an examination into linking the city by passenger rail with Montgomery and eventually Mobile.

The city's approval completes what was needed to pay for the first phase of the study, which would examine Birmingham and Montgomery. Mobile is part of a second phase. The federal government awarded a $100,000 grant for the first phase and required $100,000 in matching funds, now provided by the city of Montgomery, Montgomery County and Birmingham. The second phase is also expected to cost $200,000.

Amtrak's Crescent line is Alabama's single commuter rail line. That route runs from New York to New Orleans with stops in Anniston, Birmingham and Tuscaloosa.

The study had been set to begin in April but was delayed for the lack of matching money. Phase one will take about a year.

The council today also approved a $44,000 feasibility study on a proposed downtown foot bridge running more than two blocks from Railroad Park to First Avenue North.