For Immediate Release: April 10, 2007
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