Southern Rail Commission Chairman Knox Ross issues the following statement in response to Mobile City Council’s approval of the funding and lease agreement with Amtrak:

“This is an incredible outcome and we have worked so very hard with our partners to finally get to this point. With the funding in place, this train can roll soon, and it will have a great return on investment and a tremendous impact in connecting people with jobs and education opportunities, boosting our local economies, and supporting our growing tourism industry in our coastal cities,” said Knox Ross. “The Southern Rail Commission extends our sincere thanks to everyone who has been instrumental in this project, including Senator Wicker, Governor Ivey, Mayor Stimpson and the Mobile City Council, the Port Authority of Alabama, CSX, FRA, Amtrak, and all of our partners who have gotten us to this important milestone.”