MOBILE, Ala. — Mobile’s city council has delayed action on a proposal asking Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey to commit funds to the return of Amtrak service on the Gulf Coast while it seeks more information on the passenger railroad’s plans.
AL.com reports that the city’s mayor, Sandy Stimpson, expressed concerns that passenger trains could block access to the city’s cruise-ship terminal, while councilman Joel Daves said “there are too many unanswered questions” to act. The council voted unanimously for a two-week delay in action on its resolution.
An effort led by the Southern Rail Commission to restore rail service has earned a $33 million federal grant [see “Gulf Coast corridor wins federal grant to restore passenger service,” Trains News Wire, June 9, 2019]. Mississippi has already committed $15 million and Louisiana has dedicated $10 million for their shares of the project, but Alabama has not yet committed its $2.7 million share. Ivey and the CEO of the Alabama State Port Authority have expressed concerns about Amtrak interfering with freight train service to the port.
