Amtrak stop could pay off for Terrebonne

The Amtrak Great American Station Civic Conversation Forum in Memphis proved to be a solid starting point in an effort to maximize the train station in Schriever.

Councilwoman Beryl Amedee and Zoning Administrator Chris Pulaski represented Terrebonne Parish at the convention and both are happy with everything that came from it.

“It was wonderful and very well organized and fast paced,” Amedee said. “They gave us information we needed to be able to move forward like who to contact with Amtrak and what the steps are.”

The forum helped give the parish information on ideas for funding and what can help expedite the process for construction.

Amedee said most of the grants are tied to the idea of preserving history, meaning historical relevance is important in order to get those grants.

“We need to start collecting historical information so if and when we apply we know who to talk to and what to talk about,” Amedee said. “That would be most benficial.”

Any information regarding historical relevance to the station can be sent to Amedee through her email, amedee@tpcg.org.

Pulaski has worked with railroad companies before and said things could get tricky so having folks from Amtrak and other companies there was helpful.

“Trying to find whom it is to speak to can be a challenge,” Pulaski said. “It was great they had all of their people and they all seem very willing to help with any assistance they could give to us.”

In addition to Amtrak employees, BNSF Railway employees attended, which was beneficial because the station in Schriever is operated by BNSF.

The building at the Schriever stop is not a passenger facility. It is an office building for the maintenance workers.

“If you are a ticketed train passenger, you will not have access to that building,”Amedee said. “You have to stand out in the weather and hope you do not need the bathroom and hope the train is not late.”

In order for Amtrak and Terrebonne to collaborate any plans on renovations, it would ultimately be at the discretion of BNSF.

“Amtrak folks and BNSF folks sounded like they have already talked about it, at least maybe briefly,” Pulaski said. “They are looking to send someone out in October to do an audit for that location. They will look and see what they have because I am not sure they even know what they have out there.”

Amedee said BNSF could be hesitant to begin upgrades for passengers because it would not benefit them in any way.

“That is between Amtrak and BNSF and hopefully they could come up with some sort of mutual agreement,” Amedee said.

In short term, the parish will work with Amtrak putting up signs in the area directing people to the station because of it’s hard-to-find location. Amtrak will pay for the sign making it easier for the parish to move forward.

“We will not have to pay for anything. We just need to get crews out there to place the signs,” Pulaski said. “We have to do very little on our end to at least get people to the locations.”

Aside from signage, there have not been any moved forward regarding upgrade to the station.

“It is premature and we do not have a formal plan yet,” Amedee said.

Amedee plans to address the council at tonight’s meeting at 6 p.m.

Terrebonne