Just ahead of the groundbreaking, Secretary Buttigieg spoke exclusively withSouthern Livingabout the importance of restoring this service.
In a lot of places that means adding service, inventing a new route.
In this case, its about restoring service that was already there.
Credit:Department of Transportation
(August 2025 will mark 20 years since Katrina struck the gulf coast.)
Both sides of the aisle.
Multiple states and a lot of different players are excited to make this happen, he said.
Credit:Department of Transportation
Can customers and workers get to a site?
Every one of those locations is going to see its value increasing.
The coastal communities along this route also rely heavily on tourism to hold up their local economy.
Amtrak will bring a new influx of guests to these areas along the way between the two larger cities.
These visitors will dine in local restaurants and shop in small boutiques.
Someone on the way to New Orleans might stop for lunch or to spend the day in Pascagoula.
And also people from around the country.
I really believe people from around the world will take advantage of this route.
Weve all heard about these orders and then wondered why some people stay behind?
And in some cases its simply a lack of options of how to leave.
So that alternative is really important for folks, Buttigieg told us.
The Gulf Coast Corridor Improvement Project wont just positively impact rail travel.
Heres hoping we can take the train for Mardi Gras next year.
We will surely see you all aboard.
