For the majority of the Sunset Limited’s
history, the train traveled all the way from New Orleans (and in its last 12 years
prior to 2005, Sanford, Florida) to Los Angeles, California, which made it the only transcontinental passenger train in our
nation’s history,”
Unfortunately, during Hurricane Katrina,
the route’s tracks were damaged along the Gulf Coast, which has led to its
temporary demise since August, 2005. And for my constituents in Florida,
as well as many residents along the Gulf Coast states of Mississippi, Alabama
and Louisiana, the current lack of service has entirely denied residents access
to Amtrak routes.
Additionally, the failure of restoring a Gulf Coast passenger
rail line also prevents it from being used as an evacuation route during
national emergencies.
Since the hurricane, I have been working hard to restore this
service to the Gulf. In fact, I incorporated legislative language in the
Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 regarding the Sunset
Limited rail line to conduct a study for its potential reinstatement.
Additionally, in this year’s Transportation Reauthorization
bill, I had language included which created a ‘Gulf Coast Working Group to
develop plans and financing options for restored passenger service, and the
inaugural meeting of the Working Group was held on Tuesday, February 16, 2016
in New Orleans.
For these reasons, I participated in this trip through the
southern Gulf Coast to emphasize the importance of this rail line. In the
upcoming congressional session, I will continue to press for the restoration of
passenger rail service in the Gulf Coast region, and will work together with
all stakeholders in an attempt to bring back this extremely important rail
service.
