Alabama city leaders are opposing a plan that would restore Amtrak passenger service to the Gulf Coast, including Mississippi and Louisiana, for the first time since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

Amtrak intends to operate two trains a day from a station near the convention center in Mobile, Alabama, to New Orleans, with four stops in Mississippi as part of its long-term plan, WALA-TV reported.

Mobile Mayor Sandy Stimpson’s administration is closing negotiations for a ground lease to allow Amtrak to build a train station on city-owned property between Mobile and the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico.

However, the project relies on subsidies from the governments of all three states, with Louisiana and Mississippi each covering one-third of the cost.

Until recently, Mobile was set to cover Alabama’s share entirely, but the Alabama Port Authority agreed to contribute $1 million over three years, roughly one-third of the total cost.

With two votes against, the proposal cannot afford another dissenting vote, as it requires support from at least five of the seven council members.

Opponents argue that once the port’s commitment ends after the first three years, and with a potentially lower federal operating subsidy, city taxpayers could face annual costs amounting to millions of dollars.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

“We are still working through the details of the agreement with Amtrak, and will continue having conversations with the council,” Stimpson spokeswoman Candace Cooksey told FOX10 News. “We are hopeful that in the coming weeks the City will reach an agreement.”

Gov. Kay Ivey’s (R-AL) office recently mentioned that the state is considering covering a portion of the costs for the initial three years.