ENROLLED
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 47
BY REPRESENTATIVES GADBERRY AND ECHOLS
A RESOLUTION
To urge and request the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to study
the development of passenger rail services along the Interstate 20 corridor in
Louisiana in collaboration with other state transportation agencies in Texas and
Mississippi and with Amtrak partners.
WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana is served by three long-distance Amtrak trains,
with New Orleans serving as a hub; and
WHEREAS, the three long-distance trains are the City of New Orleans, operating
between Chicago and New Orleans; the Sunset Limited, operating between Los Angeles and
New Orleans; and the Crescent, operating between New York, Atlanta, and New Orleans;
and
WHEREAS, there is currently no commuter or intercity corridor service provided by
Amtrak or other operators in the state of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, passenger rail services can strengthen the intermodal transportation
system; and
WHEREAS, passenger rail services can create new options for users as they combine
different transportation modes to complete a trip; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas are seeking to coordinate their efforts
in order to facilitate passenger rail services along the Interstate 20 corridor between
Marshall, Texas, and Meridian, Mississippi, through north Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, north Louisiana is the only gap in the entire nation in Amtrak's service
lines; and
WHEREAS, bridging this gap would connect Dallas-Fort Worth all the way to
Atlanta; and
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WHEREAS, federal funds originally allocated to the state of Texas are now available
for use in connection with rail infrastructure for the entire Interstate 20 corridor between
Marshall, Texas, and Meridian, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, Texas expressed a willingness to use a portion of those funds for the
entire Interstate 20 corridor; and
WHEREAS, Amtrak analyzed the route and determined that passenger rail
connectivity along the Interstate 20 corridor will not require an annual operating subsidy;
and
WHEREAS, passenger rail services along the Interstate 20 corridor, home to several
public institutions of higher education, will benefit the people of Louisiana by allowing
greater mobility and expanding potential labor and tourism markets access to the region; and
WHEREAS, passenger rail services will improve access between north Louisiana and
major regional economic and transportation centers in Dallas, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia;
and
WHEREAS, traffic congestion on Interstate 20 from Shreveport to Dallas is only
expected to worsen over the next ten years, which makes the need for passenger rail service
more prevalent.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request the Department of Transportation and
Development to study the development of passenger rail services along the Interstate 20
corridor in Louisiana in collaboration with the state transportation agencies of Texas and
Mississippi and with Amtrak partners.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation and
Development's recommendations shall consider several stops in Louisiana to allow
passengers the opportunity to travel throughout north Louisiana and, at a minimum, shall
include the following:
(1)The route alternatives.
(2)The station locations.
(3)The infrastructure needs.
(4)The ridership and revenue estimated.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the administration shall consider participating
in the Interstate Rail Compacts Advancement Act as a participating state, if adopted by
Congress; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the administration shall consider writing grant
proposals to secure funding to facilitate passenger rail services along the Interstate 20
corridor and, at a minimum, shall include the following programs:
(1)The Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements Program.
(2)The Restoration and Enhancement Grants Program.
(3)The Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery Program.
(4)The Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act.
(5)The Railroad Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing Program.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Department of Transportation and
Development shall submit a written report to the House Committee on Transportation,
Highways and Public Works detailing its findings and recommendations prior to March 1,
2022.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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