For Immediate Release: April 10, 2007
Senator Bill Brown
Senator Brown Hopes Signing of SJR 14
Will Get Tulsa on Track for Passenger Rail Service
Tulsa is the fifth largest metro in the United
States without Amtrak service. That’s something Sen. Bill
Brown wants to change in the near future. Brown, R-Broken
Arrow, is the principal author of Senate Joint Resolution 14,
which urges the U.S. Department of Transportation to include
a Tulsa to Springfield, Missouri rail line in its existing Missouri
Amtrak feasibility study. Gov. Henry voiced his support for
the concept when he signed SJR 14 on Sunday.
“Even though Tulsa has been without passenger rail service
since the 1980’s, all the feedback I’ve been getting
is that interest has done nothing but grow--especially with
the popularity of the Heartland Flyer line collecting Oklahoma
City to Fort Worth,” Brown said. “The most recent
census data shows the Tulsa metro is growing, but we can further
capitalize on the growth with passenger rail service.”
Census data released last week estimates that the Tulsa metro
could hit a population of one million in the next three to five
years. Reaching the one million mark could help attract additional
businesses to the area.
Brown said six years ago, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation
completed a study of high passenger rail service connecting
Tulsa and Oklahoma City to the national passenger rail system.
At that time, it was noted that the Tulsa to St. Louis, Missouri
connection would become more feasible when the Springfield to
St. Louis leg was addressed by the State of Missouri.
“Last year, Missouri requested Amtrak to study the St.
Louis to Springfield line. Now is the perfect time to ensure
a Tulsa to Springfield connection is a part of that study,”
Brown said. “The importance of transportation, including
passenger rail service, cannot be underestimated as we prepare
to take Oklahoma into its next century. It’s critical
for commerce and for tourism. I’m hopeful that with the
signing of SJR 14, we could be on track for expanded rail service
in Oklahoma.”
For more information contact:
Senator Brown's Office: (405) 521-5602
