RAIL EXPANSION: A STEP CLOSER
Support at the state level is vital, as matching funds will be required to receive the federal funding. Sparks said the stage is being set with the Oklahoma Legislature on making an ask for state dollars, possibly as soon as the next legislative session. “We are studying costs and gathering the information we need to ensure the Legislature understands their role,” he said. “We want the federal government to know without a doubt that Oklahoma will support and maintain these operations.” If funding is received, The Heartland Flyer would connect north to Newton, Kan., a route that existed up until 1979. “This would link us to the national Amtrak network via the Southwest Chief to Los Angeles and routes to Kansas City, St. Louis and Chicago. The Oklahoma and Kansas Departments of Transportation are working closely together on the shared objective of obtaining federal funding,” added Sparks. In addition to the national network, the Newton route would connect Oklahoma City with other communities along the route including Guthrie, Perry and Ponca City, which would ultimately maximize economic and community development. “We have been long standing supporters and protectors of The Heartland Flyer and know its importance to our city and state,” said Sparks. “We are in a unique situation where expanding passenger rail in Oklahoma is more achievable than it has ever been.”
Federal funding could expand passenger rail service, connect Oklahoma to national Amtrak network For the past 25 years The Heartland Flyer has connected Oklahoma City to Ft. Worth, Texas—the only passenger rail service in the state—but imagine a new connection offering travel to Los Angeles, Kansas City, St. Louis and Chicago. Thanks to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) which was signed into law by President Biden in November 2021, between $30-40 billion in funding is now available for passenger rail expansion outside the D.C.-Boston-Acela Corridor through the Corridor ID program. Through the work of the Chamber and its partners, The Heartland Flyer was selected in the first round of Corridor ID, making the state eligible for federal funding. “This is a chance to secure funding that has never been available,” said Derek Sparks, senior manager, government relations, Greater Oklahoma City Chamber. “We have a window of opportunity that is unprecedented, and the Chamber is working diligently to gather support at the state and local level.”
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