Taylor: Green light for Amtrak

The Clarion-Ledger, 10/21/8

Amtrak can begin restoring service through Mississippi between New Orleans and Sanford, Fla., now that President Bush has signed a five-year authorization of the rail service, 4th District U.S. Rep. Gene Taylor said.

Bush signed the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act of 2008 into law last week.

“This is a big step in restoring the Sunset Limited route, which is so important to communities along the coast,” Taylor said in a news release.

One provision of the act is $1 million for Amtrak to conduct the study of the Sunset Limited route, which was disrupted by Hurricane Katrina. Amtrak must submit the report within nine months.