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Peduto Wants To Bring Rail Service To Oakland Reporting Jon Delano PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ― The existing rail line cuts across the city, running from Hazelwood, across Oakland, near the new Children's Hospital, to the Robotics Engineering Center in Lawrenceville. more at: http://kdka.com/video/[email protected]

Interesting...in the meetings/discussions I have been a part of, the direction has been to have projects "shovel-ready" or able to begin construction by the 60-120 day time period. I don't dispute the idea that using the funds for broader array of road, transit, rail projects would go a longer way in stimulating the economy, but it seems that the direction of the stimulus funding is geared towards creating (or recreating) jobs only and as quickly as possible. The projects I have seen considered for the possible stimulus funding have either already been through the NEPA process and to a certain degree some or all design work or would not require a great deal of effort getting through those stages to meet the given deadline. Honestly, I'm not sure there is enough definition yet to the stimulus funding to determine what type of projects may come out of it.

EXCLUSIVE: Amtrak to seek high-speed train Tom Ramstack (Contact) UPDATED EXCLUSIVE: http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/dec/15/exclusive-amtrak-seek-high-speed-train-ne-corridor/ Congressional transportation leaders plan to announce today that the federal government is seeking contractors to build a new $30 billion to $40 billion high-speed rail line between Washington and New York that would be used exclusively by passenger trains.

Maybe a sign of things to come....one could hope at least. Obama to arrive in Washington by train Pre-inauguration trek will include a stop to pickup Biden and family WASHINGTON - President-elect Barack Obama will kick off his inaugural celebration on Jan. 17 the weekend before his swearing in as the country's 44th president by traveling on a train to the nation's capital. He and his family will start their daylong journey with an event in Philadelphia before boarding the train and picking up Vice President-elect Joe Biden and his family in Wilmington, Del. The president-elect and his group then will make a stop in Baltimore before making their way to Washington. "We hope to include as many Americans as possible who wish to participate, but can't be in Washington," Emmett Beliveau, the executive director of the Presidential Inaugural Committee, said in a statement. "These events will allow us to do that while honoring the rich history and tradition of previous inaugural journeys." ......... http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28235124/

Is the cost of the environmental work for the full Ohio Hub plan (1200 mile, 46 station) included in that cost? If so, that would be even better news as right-of-way could start to be reserved, encroachments prevented, etc on all the corridors.

Very exciting news indeed! One item from the story that was a bit unclear - what is the $200 million being requested for? The writer indicates that is for planning and design of the Ohio Hub. Is it for the entire Ohio Hub or just the initial routes?

Kerry pushes high speed rail Senators John F. Kerry and Arlen Specter introduced a bill today to fund high-speed rail lines along the East Coast and in several other key areas of the country. Kerry, a Massachusetts Democrat, and Specter, a Pennsylvania Republican, said the legislation would help repair the nation's crumbling infrastructure, and at the same time create jobs when the country appears headed for a deep economic recession. ......... http://www.boston.com/news/politics/politicalintelligence/2008/11/kerry_pushes_hi.html

Below is information regarding the proposed ODOT TRAC scoring methods. The TRAC is the entity that ranks/scores major transportation projects that is undertaken by ODOT. ODOT Seeks Comments on TRAC Process The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is seeking comments on revisions to its Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) scoring process. The main proposed changes are to the scoring criteria and weights in the areas of Community Economic Growth and Development Factors and Local Match. Read the proposal: http://www.morpc.org/trans/funding_ProposedTRACscoring.pdf Background The Transportation Review Advisory Council (TRAC) is the entity which ranks and selects all Major/New Program projects in the state of Ohio, which request funding from the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) whether from state or federal sources. The Major/New Program includes projects that request more than $5 million from ODOT funds, and which add capacity or support economic development. The TRAC is composed of nine members from throughout the state. Six members are appointed by the Governor, and one member each by the speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, and the president of the Ohio Senate. The TRAC is chaired by the ODOT Director. Each member has a five-year term. The TRAC director produces a biennial forecast of funds available for Major/New capacity projects. Until recently, this has been projected at $300 million per year. For the last several years no new projects have been added to the Major/New Program because of funding shortages brought on by construction inflation and declining motor fuel tax revenues and other reasons. http://www.morpc.org/transportation/funding/funding.asp

^Has any timeline been announced for construction? I thought they were beginning some of the right-of-way purchase process when the last state budget was passed.

^All very true in that the NEPA is just as much a study of the impacts on the built environment as the natural environment. One of the difficulties (in terms of the NEPA process) of the projects mentioned above is that they are running on the premise of economic development (and justifiably so) in addition to congestion relief, safety, less carbon emissions, etc. However, the inclusion of economic development as a reason to build a project nearly doubles the amount of work needed to complete the NEPA coordination. Not only does the impact of the project have to be studied, but also the developments that will accompany it. By no means is this is a reason to not pursue a project (whether it be transit, highway, aviation, or bikeway), but you'll have to realize that the intense NEPA process just got tougher.

I work for ODOT as a transportation engineer/planner. By no means does that make me knowledgeable on the NEPA processes or their inner workings. Obviously, I get exposed to them in working on different projects, which basically means I know enough to get in trouble. :roll: As noozer alluded to above, if federal funds are involved, there will be some NEPA coordination involved - large or small. If funding has come from those sources, then some level of NEPA coordination was done. Most likely, the funds were funneled through ODOT's Office of Transit (Bus/Bus Facilities) or the Office of Local Progams (Enhancement funds). The NEPA coordination was probably done at the ODOT District level by the environmental coordinators. Another item that lends me to believe NEPA processes were involved is that the station itself is either historical (NEPA's definition applies here), is located in the historic area of Elyria, or both. These are my best guesses and if you need more detailed information, I would contact the environmental coordinators at the ODOT district (District 3).

If federal dollars are involved then there will be some NEPA coordination. The coordination may be minimal (categorical exclusion document) or quite involved (environmental impact statement). The level of coordination will depend on the project itself. For example, a traffic signal installation may get by with just a categorical exclusion document (1 - 2 page form) whereas the a corridor study will require an EIS (1 - 2 trees worth of paper). I am not familiar with the Elyria Train Depot rehab project, but if federal dollars are involved, there is some level of NEPA documentation involved. It could also depend on what funding is used - Ohio Public Works Commission funds vs. ODOT Enhancement funds. Below is a link to a plethora of NEPA links from the ODOT's Office of Environmental Services. http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Planning/Environment/links/Pages/default.aspx

Q & A: Isakson talks about high speed rail proposal Georgia republican supports Sen. John Kerrys railroad initiative By ARIEL HART The Atlanta Journal-Constitution http://www.ajc.com/metro/content/metro/stories/2008/09/14/isakson_railroad.html Sunday, September 14, 2008 In the midst of a faltering economy and a transportation funding crisis, Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.) is planning to introduce what appears to be a major rail initiative, and Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Ga.) is preparing to join him. The idea is to finance an interstate high-speed rail network that could serve as the spine for local transit lines. Saying the current system is broken, Isakson advocates treating rail just as the government treats airports: The government builds the airports, and the airplanes that ferry passengers are private. .......

I'm not sure this is the same project, but this seem to be the best place for this article. A few questions - When did the commuter rail project get extended to Sandusky? Where is the $200k from the state coming from? Department of Development? Department of Transportation? County on board with rail proposal By TOM JACKSON | Friday August 29 2008, 12:07am PERKINS TWP. If a commuter train comes down the track, Erie County’s commissioners want to climb aboard. All three of Erie County’s commissioners said they’re interested in a proposal to link Sandusky to Cleveland with a commuter train that would run at least five times a day in each direction. ............ http://www.sanduskyregister.com/articles/2008/08/28/front/doc48b771e4126a6086357918.txt

Newark planners discuss connecting bike paths, improving streets By AMY PICARD NEWARK — Although city officials, residents and business owners gathered to talk about the future of the Fourth Street corridor Tuesday, the discussion quickly turned toward the advantages of connecting the bike paths downtown and the perception there is a lack of parking in the area. The discussion, led by the Neighborhood Design Center, is the second in a series of discussions aimed at creating an identity for downtown Newark, specifically along the Fourth Street entrance. The discussions are expected to culminate in a plan presented by the Design Center to the city in September. Engineer Brian Morehead said some money will be made available to the city to create streetscape improvements when the Ohio Department of Transportation makes changes to the Ohio 16 entrances and exits at Fourth Street. Although the city is paying for the study by the Neighborhood Design Center to create a plan to start some of those improvements, city officials hope the study will become a larger plan for the downtown area. Read more at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080819/UPDATES01/80819024

Ohio Central Railroad sold http://www.coshoctontribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080804/NEWS01/80804019&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL A Connecticut-based railroad said today it has acquired the Coshocton-based Ohio Central Railroad System for $219 million in cash. Full story at link above:

This appeared in the Newark Advocate. Marc Guthrie is president of Newark City Council. Cost of fuel means now is the time to move on high-speed rail Marc Guthrie http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080722/OPINION02/807220323/1014/OPINION Dating back to my tenure in the state legislature, I have been an advocate for high-speed rail in Ohio. Since riding Japan's high-speed trains a few times in the late 1980s and early 1990s, I've been convinced that fast, efficient rail is needed in the United States. Ohio could and should be the trailblazer in the Midwest for high-speed rail development. With the high cost of fuel, there could not be a better time to undertake a high-speed commuter project in the Buckeye State. I always have believed that if Ohio could lead the way in high-speed rail development, it would help our economy greatly. To his credit, President Dwight Eisenhower, with the support of Congress, had the foresight to authorize the interstate highway system in 1956. The system has grown immensely during the last 50 years; just imagine where we would be without the interstate highway system. ......... Newark City Council President Marc Guthrie, a former member of the Ohio House of Representatives, can be reached via e-mail at [email protected]

I'm sure the 21st Century Task Force link is in this thread somewhere, but just wanted to pass along that a lot of webcasts have been posted to the site for the public to view. The public meetings as well as working session meetings are posted and give quite an insight into what some of the common themes have been. As might have been expected, an increase in public transportation - both bus and rail - are commonly discussed at both the public meetings and working sessions. http://www.dot.state.oh.us/21ctptf/

Mass Transit Discussion on WOUB 10:00 AM - Mass Transit in Central Ohio The present and past of mass transit in Central Ohio, with Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC) Executive Director Chester Jourdan, Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) President and CEO and Ohio Public Transportation Association (OPTA) President William Lhota, and Columbus City Council Member Maryellen O’Shaughnessy. With guest host Mike Thompson. www.wosu.org/radio/radio-open-line

As I remember it, there was to not only be one basket building but multiple buildings were planned creating a campus near where the headquarters stands today. When Longaberger was in their prime, there was a building off of SR 16 that housed the model depicting the long-range plans of the company: a campus of basket buildings, Disneyland-like amusement park, multiple golf courses, retail, etc. The coolest aspect was the monorail that would have connected it all via what is the Panhandle rail line.

Identity sought for Newark’s downtown AMY PICARD NEWARK — As new development near Newark’s downtown takes its first steps, community members met Wednesday to discuss the future of the area. In a meeting facilitated by the Neighborhood Design Center, a nonprofit organization that intends to create a cohesive design to improve the look and function of Newark’s downtown, community leaders discussed current problems. In spring 2009, construction is expected to begin on new entrance and exit ramps from Ohio 16 to Ohio 13. City officials believe this construction could be a starting point for the project. The project then would continue down Fourth Street to Main Street and possibly to the Courthouse Square. Read more at http://www.newarkadvocate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080825/NEWS01/808250301

Q&A with Amtrak President Alex Kummant BOSTON (Reuters.com) - As oil prices surge, many Americans are rediscovering the railroad. Amtrak, America's struggling passenger railroad, saw record numbers in May when ridership rose 12.3 percent from a year earlier, and ticket sales climbed 15.6 percent, according to company data. Reuters Boston Bureau Chief Jason Szep spoke with Amtrak President Alex Kummant. What follows are excerpts from that interview. http://www.reuters.com/article/inDepthNews/idUSSIB27628520080612?sp=true

Is this part of the Ohio Hub efforts or an separate study?

^^Maybe I need to clarify my post a little – the point I was trying to make was that these visualizations go further (at least for me) than static renderings during public outreach sessions and on project web sites. Whether it is the Ohio Hub, Columbus Streetcar, light rail or other rail projects, these types of graphics show how the infrastructure fits in with the urban (and rural) landscape. Many of the comments I have seen on the rail projects dealt with how it will look. Seeing an Ohio Hub train pull into the Arena District station and how the station interacts with the existing development and proposed streetcar line(s) would go a long way during presentations and also on the web site. The same can be said about Cleveland, Cincinnati, Toledo or the other proposed stations. I’m not trying to say we need to replace the Ohio Hub plan with European-style 200-mph high speed rail. I agree that a comprehensive rail infrastructure (conventional regional rail, light rail, increased bus, streetcars, etc) needs to be in place before a large investment is made in high speed rail. When I saw the images/graphics posted on the California site, I thought this could be a powerful to use when promoting the Ohio Hub and other rail initiatives.

I came across the updated website for the California High Speed Rail project…wow! http://www.cahighspeedrail.ca.gov/gallery.aspx Maybe it is just me, but I think visualizations like these could help out immensely in The Ohio Hub outreach efforts. In my opinion, Ohioans have no grasp on what high speed rail looks like or what development associated with rail transit looks like. These videos do a good job of showing how high speed rail interacts with local transit (both bus and rail) and how development is attracted to stations. Obviously, money is needed to put this type of product together, but many benefits could be realized during outreach efforts.