HLS 21RS-1476 ORIGINAL
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 66
BY REPRESENTATIVE THOMPSON
RAILROADS: Urges and requests the Department of Transportation and Development to
study and work with Interstate 20 Amtrak partners to develop a passenger rail service
connecting Texas and Mississippi through North Louisiana
1 A RESOLUTION
2To urge and request the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development to study
3 the development of passenger rail services along the Interstate 20 corridor in
4 Louisiana in collaboration with other state transportation agencies in Texas and
5 Mississippi, along with Amtrak partners.
6 WHEREAS, the state of Louisiana is served by three long-distance Amtrak trains,
7with New Orleans serving as a hub; and
8 WHEREAS, the three long-distance trains are the City of New Orleans, operating
9between Chicago and New Orleans; the Sunset Limited, operating between Los Angeles and
10New Orleans; and the Crescent, operating between New York, Atlanta, and New Orleans;
11and
12 WHEREAS, there is currently no commuter or intercity corridor service provided by
13Amtrak or other operators in the state of Louisiana; and
14 WHEREAS, passenger rail services can strengthen the intermodal transportation
15system; and
16 WHEREAS, passenger rail services can create new options for users as they combine
17different transportation modes to complete a trip; and
18 WHEREAS, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas are seeking to coordinate their efforts
19in order to facilitate passenger rail services along the Interstate 20 corridor between
20Marshall, Texas and Meridian, Mississippi, through north Louisiana; and
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HR NO. 66
1 WHEREAS, north Louisiana is the only gap in the entire nation in Amtrak's service
2lines; and
3 WHEREAS, bridging this gap would connect Dallas-Fort Worth all the way to
4Atlanta; and
5 WHEREAS, federal funds originally allocated to the state of Texas are now available
6for use in connection with rail infrastructure for the entire Interstate 20 corridor between
7Marshall, Texas and Meridian, Mississippi; and
8 WHEREAS, Texas expressed a willingness to use a portion of those funds for the
9entire Interstate 20 corridor; and
10 WHEREAS, Amtrak analyzed the route and determined that passenger rail
11connectivity along the Interstate 20 corridor will not require an annual operating subsidy;
12and
13 WHEREAS, passenger rail services along the Interstate 20 corridor, home to several
14public institutions of higher education, will benefit the people of Louisiana by allowing
15greater mobility and expanding potential labor and tourism markets access to the region; and
16 WHEREAS, passenger rail services will improve access between north Louisiana and
17major regional economic and transportation centers in Dallas, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia;
18and
19 WHEREAS, traffic congestion on Interstate 20 from Shreveport to Dallas is only
20expected to worsen over the next ten years, which makes the need for passenger rail service
21more prevalent; and
22 WHEREAS, passenger rail service supports economic development, connects distant
23communities, and helps reduce roadway congestion in major metropolitan regions.
24 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
25Legislature of Louisiana does hereby urge and request that the Department of Transportation
26and Development to study the development of passenger rail services along the Interstate 20
27corridor in Louisiana in collaboration with the state transportation agencies of Texas and
28Mississippi and with Amtrak partners.
29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation and
30Development's recommendations shall consider several stops in Louisiana to allow
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HR NO. 66
1passengers the opportunity to travel throughout North Louisiana, and at a minimum, shall
2include the following:
3 (1) The route alternatives.
4 (2) The station locations.
5 (3) The infrastructure needs.
6 (4) The ridership and revenue estimated.
7 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Louisiana Department of Transportation and
8Development shall submit a written report to the House Committee on Transportation,
9Highways, and Public Works detailing its findings and recommendations prior to March 1,
102022.
11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
12secretary of the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HR 66 Original 2021 Regular Session Thompson
Urges and requests the Dept. of Transportation and Development (DOTD) to coordinate the
development of passenger rail services along the Interstate 20 corridor in Louisiana with the
state transportation agencies of Texas and Mississippi and with Amtrak partners. Requires
the DOTD to submit a written report to the House Committee on Transportation, Highways,
and Public Works detailing its findings by Feb. 28, 2022.
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