March 26, 200916 yr Panhandle Line projects include... 1. Rehabiliation of the Gould Tunnel 2. Rehabiliation of the Tyndal Bridge 3. Repair of the swing bridge at Zanesville (notr directly on the Panhandle, but served by one of it's branches.) Worth noting that the first two, though they are freight projects, would be necessary upgrades for any future passenger rail.
March 26, 200916 yr Note that this list does not including the $8 billion pot of stimulus money for passenger rail. There is $7 million in planning/environmental funds included for the Ohio Hub. Upon completion of the environmental review for Ohio Hub corridors, those corridors will become eligible for federal construction funding either through the $8 billion in stimulus or from the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act passed last fall. Does the $7M cover all the Ohio Hub Corridors? I guess more directly to my interests - would the allotted funds cover the costs to study the Chicago-Lima-Columbus-Pittsburgh corridor(s)?
March 26, 200916 yr The legislative conference committee that is attempting to reconcile differences over the Ohio House and Ohio Senate versions of the state transportation budget bill did not meet its goal of achieving a compromise today. Instead, the conference committee has scheduled a rare hearing for both Saturday (10 a.m.) and Sunday (1:30 p.m.). A transportation budget must be approved no later than Tuesday, March 31st. One of the primary points of difference is whether and how to proceed with spending any federal stimulus funds that Ohio may win to establish passenger rail service along the 3-C Corridor. Schedule: TRANSPORTATION BUDGET (HOUSE BILL 2) CONFERENCE COMMITTEE Sat., Mar. 28, 2009, 10:00 AM, Hearing Room 313 HB2 TRANSPORTATION BUDGET (UJVAGI P) Make appropriations for programs related to transportation and public safety for the biennium beginning July 1, 2009, and ending June 30, 2011. Fourth Hearing, No Testimony, POSSIBLE VOTE TRANSPORTATION BUDGET (HOUSE BILL 2) CONFERENCE COMMITTEE Sun., Mar. 29, 2009, 1:30 PM, Hearing Room 313 HB2 TRANSPORTATION BUDGET (UJVAGI P) Make appropriations for programs related to transportation and public safety for the biennium beginning July 1, 2009, and ending June 30, 2011. Fifth Hearing, No Testimony, POSSIBLE VOTE "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 27, 200916 yr Word is Senator Patton has dug in his heels in conference committee negotiations. Patton told one of our members that a one-way Cleveland - Columbus train ticket is $99 (sourced ODOT for that info, even though ODOT has told him otherwise). He said Greyhound doesn't run lots of 3-C buses so he questioned the market for rail. He said a poll stated that 80 percent don't want project to proceed (OK, that's a new one on me). And Patton The Deceiver said trains would take away state money from health and education. It's clear this guy has no interest in this project. But I have to ask where his motivation comes from to utter such outright lies. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 27, 200916 yr Word is Senator Patton has dug in his heels in conference committee negotiations. Patton told one of our members that a one-way Cleveland - Columbus train ticket is $99 (sourced ODOT for that info, even though ODOT has told him otherwise). He said Greyhound doesn't run lots of 3-C buses so he questioned the market for rail. He said a poll stated that 80 percent don't want project to proceed (OK, that's a new one on me). And Patton The Deceiver said trains would take away state money from health and education. It's clear this guy has no interest in this project. But I have to ask where his motivation comes from to utter such outright lies. Ugh...it is very frustrating to see these "arguments" against the project. The first two ($99 fares and Greyhound routes) I could see (unfortunately) where he doesn't know any better. Close-minded politicos rarely look at facts that go against the beliefs. However, the fact that he thinks transportation funds can be used for anything besides transportation purposes shows how uninformed our politicians may be. The capital funds and maintenance/operation funds will come from either state and/or federal transportation dollars. These funds do not come from the GRF (to my knowledge) and they have to be used for transportation purposes. I would expect the chairman of the Transportation Committee to know this.... :wtf:
March 27, 200916 yr The corridors covered by the $7-million would be: 3-C Cleveland-Pittsburgh Cleveland-Toledo Toledo-Columbus
March 27, 200916 yr The corridors covered by the $7-million would be: 3-C Cleveland-Pittsburgh Cleveland-Toledo Toledo-Columbus
March 27, 200916 yr The stimulus furnding for the Banks and Eastern Corriodr could help with planning for intercity rail at the Transit Center. From today's Enquirer Several major road-related projects in Hamilton, Butler, Clermont and Warren counties will receive millions in federal stimulus dollars, including The Banks riverfront development and the Eastern Corridor project in Cincinnati and Clermont County. Gov. Ted Strickland announced Thursday a total of $774 million in federal transportation stimulus funds will be spread over almost every Ohio county, to fund or partially fund 149 projects. Strickland's office estimates the projects will create or retain 21,257 jobs. The local projects include: $23.2 million for the Banks project, a live-work-play neighborhood under construction in downtown Cincinnati on the Ohio River. $20 million on studies for the proposed Interstate 275/Ohio 32 Eastern Corridor. $6.1 million for Interstate 75 rehabilitation. $5.5 million for the Ohio 4 Bypass improvements in Hamilton, Fairfield and Fairfield Township in Butler County. $185,900 for the Franklin Road rehabilitation in Springboro. Local officials were thrilled at the news. "It's huge. I can't overstate how big this is to us," said Hamilton County Commissioner Todd Portune. "This means so much for the city, the county and the region." The money will accelerate the projects and could bring passenger rail service to Hamilton County within seven years, Portune said. "This funding ... will remake transportation service in Greater Cincinnati in ways that catapult us into the 21st century and that give us a real competitive advantage for retaining and growing population and in retaining and creating jobs," he said. The state has set up a Web site, www.OhioMeansJobs- .com for stimulus-related job opportunities. The Banks project has been under construction for almost a year. The stimulus money will allow construction on certain parts of the project to begin next year instead of four years from now. The money will also result in reduced construction costs for the city and county. Some of the money will go to construction of the Banks transportation hub, which could ultimately provide rail service from The Banks past the Montgomery Inn Boathouse and beyond. "I'm just excited this is going to push The Banks through because it's also representative that things are going on in Hamilton County," Commissioner Greg Hartmann said. The money for the Eastern Corridor improvement project will be spent on studies of traffic and the potential for expanded bus service and rail service. Hamilton County Commissioner David Pepper called the Banks and Eastern Corridor projects "transformational" because they will result in long-term job creation and economic development. Mayor Mark Mallory said the money will put hundreds of Cincinnatians to work. In Butler County, officials said they were surprised that after all these years, one of the final pieces needed to trigger economic development in the county was finally becoming a reality. The $5.5 million will be spent on a portion of the five-phase project to widen the Ohio 4 Bypass to ease traffic congestion. "This is very good news for Butler County. I think it's going to be a boom for economic development. This is something we've been waiting on for years," Commissioner Greg Jolivette said. The widening project and creating a new access point to the Butler County Regional Airport have been identified as ways to spur growth and name recognition for Butler County. Thousands of projects were evaluated and prioritized in a joint effort by the Ohio Department of Transportation, the Ohio Rail Development Commission and the Ohio Department of Development. The stimulus money will be funneled to the projects via the Ohio Department of Transportation. Another $30.1 million will go to the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana Regional Council of Governments for road projects throughout the region. Half of the federal stimulus money must be assigned to the projects by June 29 and the remainder must be assigned by March 1, according to Strickland's office. The stimulus-funded portion of the project must be built by March 1, 2012. "We'll be advancing projects as quickly as possible," said ODOT spokesman Scott Varner.
March 27, 200916 yr Word is Senator Patton has dug in his heels in conference committee negotiations. Patton told one of our members that a one-way Cleveland - Columbus train ticket is $99 (sourced ODOT for that info, even though ODOT has told him otherwise). He said Greyhound doesn't run lots of 3-C buses so he questioned the market for rail. He said a poll stated that 80 percent don't want project to proceed (OK, that's a new one on me). And Patton The Deceiver said trains would take away state money from health and education. It's clear this guy has no interest in this project. But I have to ask where his motivation comes from to utter such outright lies. Ugh...it is very frustrating to see these "arguments" against the project. The first two ($99 fares and Greyhound routes) I could see (unfortunately) where he doesn't know any better. Close-minded politicos rarely look at facts that go against the beliefs. However, the fact that he thinks transportation funds can be used for anything besides transportation purposes shows how uninformed our politicians may be. The capital funds and maintenance/operation funds will come from either state and/or federal transportation dollars. These funds do not come from the GRF (to my knowledge) and they have to be used for transportation purposes. I would expect the chairman of the Transportation Committee to know this.... :wtf: One concern is operating funds. State and federal transportation funds cannot be used for operating expenses, so they will have to come from GRF. (One exception: CMAQ funds can be used for 3 years of operating costs, but that's it.)
March 27, 200916 yr Shouldn't other politicians be calling out Patton instead of every citizen that has the time and patience to send countless emails or letters?
March 27, 200916 yr Ken, I don't know if this has been addressed before, but where would the terminal be for Cleveland? Will the less-than-impressive "Amtrak platform" be used, or would it be possible to tie it into Terminal Tower?? Or other?
March 27, 200916 yr No chance in getting railroad passenger trains back into Tower City. Cleveland's station would be at or near the existing Amtrak station. I'm hopeful the reconstruction of the convention center can somehow incorporate a new station as part of a pedestrian linkage to the attractions at North Coast Harbor. (see the thread in this section "North Coast Transportation Center" for more details) "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 27, 200916 yr http://blog.dispatch.com/dailybriefing/2009/03/so_why_are_they_fighting.shtml So why are they fighting? Gov. Ted Strickland and House Democrats are battling Senate Republicans over who should grant final approval of a passenger rail plan. But even the Ohio Rail Development Commission doubts it really matters. ............ "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 28, 200916 yr There's so much surprising support for this project -- I even have to applaud the PD's excellent editorial over the weekend, rare for me -- they even included another huge beneficiary of 3-C passenger rail: sports fans. Can you imagine the migration from Cincy and Cleveland to Columbus for an Ohio State - Michigan game? Or to a Browns or Bengals game? The Reds and Indians openers? and many regular games amidst these ... esp in this sports crazed state (heck, I wish we could really push the Ohio Hub Cleve-Pittsburgh line which would lionize rail travel for Browns-Steelers clashes). Sure would hate for the pols to futz this all up... Esp now that even some Republicans are getting behind this (or probably, more likely, getting out of the way of their constituents who are 4-square behind 3-Cs).
March 29, 200916 yr The fallacy...... http://www.thisweeknews.com/live/content/pickerington/stories/2009/03/25/0326pk2009_ln.html?sid=104 Schaffer [state Sen. Tim Schaffer, R-Lancaster] said the proposed state budget could only be funded through increased taxes. He also raised objections to a plan to bring passenger train, a projected $250-million project which would cost riders about $20 one-way for each leg of a trip between Columbus, Cleveland and Cincinnati. "The fact is, I don't think we have dense enough population in the state of Ohio to make it work without (massive) state subsidies," he said. The reality........ Among U.S. states, these are their population densities. Those in italics have an active state-supported regional or intercity passenger rail program (operating and/or capital funding from year-to-year). In other words, the 17 most densely populated states (excluding Hawaii and Ohio) financially support regional/intercity passenger rail. Why? Because it produces an economic payoff in excess of the subsidy! 1 New Jersey - 1,046 2 Rhode Island - 961.1 3 Massachusetts - 765 4 Connecticut - 679.3 5 Maryland - 497.2 6 New York - 382.4 7 Delaware - 347.8 8 Ohio - 267.1 9 Pennsylvania - 266.9 10 Florida - 245.9 11 Illinois - 207.6 12 California - 194.8 13 Hawaii - 176.7 14 Michigan - 164.9 15 Virginia - 158.7 16 Indiana - 152.1 NOTE 17 North Carolina - 138.3 18 New Hampshire - 123.2 19 Tennessee - 120.2 20 South Carolina - 118.2 21 Georgia - 114.3 22 Louisiana - 97.6 23 Kentucky - 93.5 24 Wisconsin - 91.2 25 Alabama - 80.6 26 Washington - 75.4 27 Missouri - 74.9 28 West Virginia - 74.8 29 Texas - 66.2 30 Vermont - 61.3 31 Minnesota - 55.7 32 Mississippi - 55.3 33 Iowa - 50 34 Oklahoma - 46.2 35 Arkansas - 45.5 36 Maine - 40 37 Arizona - 33 38 Colorado - 32.6 39 Kansas - 30.5 40 Oregon - 30.4 41 Utah - 21.5 42 Nebraska - 20.7 43 New Mexico - 12.8 44 Idaho - 12.6 45 Nevada - 11.7 46 North Dakota - 9.2 47 South Dakota - 9.17 48 Montana - 5.55 49 Wyoming - 4.7 50 Alaska - 0.99 NOTE: Indiana collects and redistributes county funds to support the Northern Indiana Commuter Transportation District which operates the South Shore commuter rail line between Chicago and South Bend. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 29, 200916 yr The Dayton Daily News recaps the rail proposals + some local rail history A high-speed rail link for Ohio? Proposals call for intercity passenger train service, then interstate trains racing at 110 mph By James Cummings Staff Writer Sunday, March 29, 2009 Gov. Ted Strickland has requested $250 million in stimulus funds to develop the 3-C Corridor, a passenger train system from Cleveland to Cincinnati, according to Stu Nicholson, spokesman for the Ohio Rail Development Commission. Also requested was $7 million to study development of the Ohio Hub, a proposed system of crisscrossing high-speed train lines that would connect Ohio to other states. Here are a few facts about those plans and the history of passenger trains in Dayton. ..........
March 29, 200916 yr May 1971 — Amtrak takes over passenger rail service and cuts already reduced passenger service to about eight trains a day. It was cut from about eight trains a day to 2 daily -- one eastbound and one westbound of the Spirit of St. Louis which was later changed to the National Limited when the service was extended to Kansas City. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 29, 200916 yr 8 trains daily sounds pretty good for Dayton for the last days of pre-Amtrak passenger service. What is the frequency of the proposed 3C service.
March 30, 200916 yr Take the C train That's C for compromise, state lawmakers pushing ahead on rail service Published on Sunday, Mar 29, 2009 Akron Beacon Journal Editorial State lawmakers face a Tuesday deadline for bridging their differences concerning the proposed $7.6 billion transportation budget. Republicans and Democrats should have little trouble resolving one conflict. A fair compromise already exists for attracting federal dollars to advance the concept of passenger train service along the corridor from Cincinnati to Columbus and Cleveland. The Senate version of the transportation budget calls for the legislature to approve any appropriation of federal stimulus money for the train service. That is understandable in view of the need to examine carefully the merits. There also is reason to worry that the feds will balk at routing the money to Ohio because of doubts about whether the state actually will spend the money. Read more at: Find this article at: http://www.ohio.com/editorial/opinions/42068507.html
March 30, 200916 yr There is a video of ONN forum on the 3-c passenger rail plan here: http://www.onntv.com/live/content/onnstation/capitol_square.html Mayor Berger from Lima and Stu Nicholson of the Ohio Rail Development Commission did a very good job in explaining the concept and benefits of the scheme. No one would answer direct questions regarding the annual operating subsidy though. But all in all a pretty good discussion.
March 30, 200916 yr ONN is also the acronym for the Onion News Network. I'm glad the 3-C isn't getting press there. :) http://www.theonion.com/content/video/
March 30, 200916 yr I wonder if someone could work up a first-person trip of the likely 3C line. It doesn't need to recreate the entire trip, but selective shots featuring the views one might have along the way, especially as the train comes into the big towns might be a good way to sell the experience in addition to the more intellectual reasons for the investment.
March 30, 200916 yr Wanted you all to know that I just got a personal e-mail from Stephen Slesnick, who is my representative from Canton. He wanted to let me know that he had voted for 3-C (even though Canton will not be an immediate beneficiary). He also stated that he thought that it was going to be "in conference for a long time."
March 30, 200916 yr 2 to 3 trains a day to start, with daylight service. At first glance this sounds like a joke. 2 trains per day means one northbound and one southbound. Who would even bother with it? But I think the Milwaulkee Road had the same set up between the Twin Cities and Chicago with the Morning and Evening Hiawatha, daylight service (or early evening returning to Chicago). That was sold as a streamliner service with high operating speeds (70 - 80 Mph average speed).
March 30, 200916 yr 2 to 3 trains a day to start, with daylight service. At first glance this sounds like a joke. 2 trains per day means one northbound and one southbound. Who would even bother with it? It certainly beats the current zero trains per day.
March 30, 200916 yr At first glance this sounds like a joke. 2 trains per day means one northbound and one southbound. That's actually 2-3 round trips per day -- two northbound and two southbound, or three northbound and three southbound. Most train services started so few round trips in the 1970s and 80s: LA - San Diego (2 RTs), Oakland - Bakersfield (1 RT), San Jose - Sacramento (1-2 RTs), Portland - Seattle (2 RTs), Chicago-Milwaukee (3 RTs), Chicago - St. Louis (2 RTs), and probably some others I'm forgetting. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 31, 200916 yr http://blog.dispatch.com/dailybriefing/2009/03/lawmakers_work_out_fees_rail_c.shtml Columbus Dispatch: Monday, March 30, 2009 Lawmakers work out fees, rail compromises Posted by Jim Siegel, Statehouse reporter on March 30, 2009 10:45 AM The conference committee for the state transportation budget was delayed until early this afternoon as Gov. Ted Strickland, House Democrats and Senate Republicans put the finishing touches on a compromise bill. .......... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 31, 200916 yr I don't have a link, but this is from Gongwer..... TRANSPORTATION BUDGET WITH RAIL PLAN INTACT PULLS OUT OF CONFERENCE WITH BIPARTISAN BACKING A House-Senate conference committee gave Gov. Ted Strickland an "all aboard" Monday night for a $7.6 billion transportation budget that includes his priority plan to start an intercity Amtrak passenger rail system. Mr. Strickland was provided most of what he asked for - and then some - in the two-year spending plan (HB 2) that cleared the panel on a bipartisan, 6-0 vote at 8:45 p.m. The House and Senate were scheduled to take up the conference report during Tuesday sessions. Enactment of the measure is needed by April 1 in order to take effect with the July 1 start of the new fiscal year. In addition to the $7.6 billion for the Ohio Departments of Transportation and Public Safety, the bill also includes $2.2 billion in federal economic stimulus funds for multiple agencies, bringing the total to $9.8 billion. The legislation clears the way for ODOT and the Ohio Rail Development Commission to apply for a share of $9 billion in federal stimulus funds for passenger rail development. The House had proposed release of any money received through the Controlling Board, while the Senate called for appropriation authority from the General Assembly. The conference report provides for the Controlling Board, by a "supermajority" vote of 5-2, to release funds received for rail infrastructure improvements. Approval would be required from at least two members from the House and two from the Senate, meaning the administration would need support of at least one Republican senator on the board where Democrats have a one-vote majority. Rep. Peter Ujvagi (D-Toledo), the conference chairman, said the administration would have to seek approval from the full House and Senate for appropriation of money to operate the rail system. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 31, 200916 yr http://209.51.133.155/cms/index.php/news_releases/more/all_aboard_ohio_played_big_role_in_rail_compromise/ All Aboard Ohio played big role in rail compromise FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — March 31, 2009 Contact: Ken Prendergast All Aboard Ohio Executive Director (216) 288-4883 [email protected] Today the Ohio General Assembly is expected to pass a two-year budget for the Ohio Department of Transportation which includes a compromise for passenger rail suggested last week by All Aboard Ohio, the Ohio Environmental Council and the Ohio Sierra Club. The compromise calls for a super-majority approval of the State Controlling Board for capital expenditures and requires the General Assembly’s consent before committing operating funding to rail services. “The budget bill will allow ODOT to submit a serious and competitive application to the U.S. Department of Transportation for passenger rail funding from the federal stimulus, including for startup of Cleveland – Columbus – Dayton – Cincinnati (3-C) Corridor rail service,” said Ken Prendergast, executive director of All Aboard Ohio. The Ohio House of Representatives version of the ODOT budget bill would have required only State Controlling Board approval to release funds for passenger rail; the Ohio Senate version required any decision to spend on rail to go back to the General Assembly. Both versions gave ODOT the go-ahead to seek stimulus funds for passenger rail. This compromise follows existing Ohio law, namely the Ohio Rail Development Commission’s enabling legislation, in approving passenger rail projects. In Ohio Revised Code Section 4981.10, the ORDC is required to get a super-majority vote (5 of 7 votes) from the State Controlling Board before the ORDC may use any funds to acquire any property for rail services. Because the Controlling Board is controlled 4-3 by the Democrats, this compromise would assure bipartisan support is necessary before any federal funds could be spent on the acquisition of property – including locomotives and passenger rail cars – for passenger rail. A second part to the compromise again follows ORDC’s enabling legislation. ORC Sec. 4981.02 (G) says “all public funds acquired by the commission shall be used for developing, implementing, and regulating rail service and not for operating rail service unless the General Assembly specifically approves the expenditure of funds for operating rail service.” Studies show that public investments in the 3-C Corridor will be used to create a 21st-century rail corridor for passenger and freight service that is safer, more efficient and better positioned for economic growth. Additionally, federal law requires that, by 2015, all rail lines that host hazardous shipments or passenger services must be equipped with Positive Train Control. PTC is an interactive signal system which automatically applies a train’s brakes if a train exceeds speed limits or a caution or stop signal is ignored. Remaining 3-C expenditures will likely be used to create transportation centers in the hearts of existing towns and cities to integrate railroad, long-distance bus, local bus, light-rail/streetcar, taxi, car sharing, car and bike rental services. Because these expenditures will have multiple beneficiaries, the rail service poses “zero risk” to Ohio’s taxpayers, Prendergast said. See All Aboard Ohio’s rail expenditures map: http://members.cox.net/ohiohsr/3-c%20corridor+amtrakexisting01m.jpg Furthermore, Ohioans may save more money by taking the train than it would cost the state to subsidize it. In an analysis, All Aboard Ohio found that every state which financially supports Amtrak service saved travelers money over other modes of travel in 2008, ranging from $1.5 million per year in Oklahoma and Texas, to $147.6 million annually in California. In 10 of 14 states that sponsor Amtrak service, travelers’ savings were larger than the state subsidies provided. For example, travelers using Amtrak trains in Washington saved an average of $1.30 for every $1 of state subsidy. In North Carolina, travelers saved $5.90 for every $1 of state subsidy to Amtrak. Only one of the 14 Amtrak-sponsoring states, New York, has more population density than Ohio. Click on the link for details of All Aboard Ohio’s analysis: http://members.cox.net/ohiohsr/Travelers%20savings%20on%20Amtrak.pdf END "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 31, 200916 yr http://209.51.133.155/cms/index.php/news_releases/more/next_stop_passenger_rail_statewide/ Next stop: passenger rail statewide FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — March 31, 2009 Contact: Ken Prendergast All Aboard Ohio Executive Director (216) 288-4883 [email protected] Largely unnoticed by the public in last week’s stimulus announcement by the Ohio Department of Transportation was a $7 million allocation for developing the Ohio Hub passenger and freight rail system. That amount will be used by Ohio Rail Development Commission to conduct Programmatic Environmental Impact Studies of four corridors; making them eligible for federal high-speed rail funds: • Cleveland – Cincinnati • Cleveland – Pittsburgh • Cleveland – Toledo • Toledo – Columbus “All Aboard Ohio is pleased that this funding was awarded,” said Ken Prendergast, executive director of All Aboard Ohio. “With these funds, ORDC will be able to respond to interest in passenger rail development throughout the state and advance the planning to where fast passenger trains are eligible to receive federal funds.” To be eligible for federal construction funds, a transportation project must go through a project development process as proscribed by the National Environmental Policy Act. That process requires that an environmental impact statement (EIS) be prepared before federal funding can be approved for a project. An EIS identifies and assesses the impacts of acquiring property, laying tracks, building stations or other physical improvements that could affect natural or built environments. Impacts could include private property acquisitions, owner/user displacements, structural demolitions plus vehicular noise, vibration or emissions affecting nearby historic sites and sensitive natural areas like wetlands or wildlife preserves. Each EIS, which could take a year to complete, will then recommend mitigation strategies to achieve a finding of no significant impact from the U.S. Department of Transportation. All Aboard Ohio understands that the four EIS analyses may be undertaken simultaneously. Often, capital investments made within existing transportation rights of way can receive a categorical exclusion from having to conduct an environmental impact analysis. That may be the case with the planned Cleveland – Columbus – Dayton – Cincinnati (3-C) Corridor Amtrak startup service as it will use existing freight rail rights of way. But that’s probably as far as passenger rail development in Ohio can advance without the EIS, Prendergast said. END "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 31, 200916 yr I'm just curious, how far into the future would be a line from Detroit to Cincinnati?
March 31, 200916 yr Very far. It's not even part of the Ohio Hub plan, unless you're OK with traveling via Columbus. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
March 31, 200916 yr ^Why Cleveland-Toledo and not Cleveland-Detroit? (I'm not complaining, just wondering...)
March 31, 200916 yr Interesting appointments! SENATE PRESIDENT'S APPOINTMENTS · Ohio Rail Development Commission: Sen. Wilson · Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact: Sen. Patton I often held West Shore Corridor Stakeholder meetings in enemy territory for that very reason. We ended up turning most enemies into supporters, or at least into informed sympathetics. Exposure to more information can only help Patton. The Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Compact could host a "rail education trip" for all legislators somewhere in the Midwest, such as Milwaukee-Chicago, Springfield to St. Louis, or Chicago-Bloomington and back. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 1, 200916 yr http://www.ohio.com/news/break_news/42212637.html Ohio faces competition for federal rail money March 31, 2009 By Matt Leingang Associated Press COLUMBUS — Ohio has the go-ahead to seek federal stimulus money to restore passenger rail service among its major cities. Now comes the hard part. ...... "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 1, 200916 yr The State Controlling Board: For the 128th General Assembly Sen. John Carey (R-17, Wellston) Senate Building, Room 127, First Floor Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 466-8156 [email protected] Aide: Katherine Frisina --------------------------- Rep. Vernon Sykes (D-4, Akron) Riffe Center, 13th Floor Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 466-3100 [email protected] Aide: Lubna Najjar --------------------------- Sen. Mark Wagoner (R-2, Toledo) Senate Building, Room 129, First Floor Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 466-8060 [email protected] Aide: Brad Barger --------------------------- Rep. Clayton Luckie (D-39, Dayton) Riffe Center, 13th Floor Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 466-1607 [email protected] Aide: Erin Synk --------------------------- Sen. Ray Miller (D-15, Columbus) Senate Building, Room 228, Second Floor Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 466-5131 [email protected] Aide: Lyanne Wolf-Sabatino --------------------------- Rep. Jay Hottinger (R-71, Newark) Riffe Center, 10th Floor Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 466-1482 [email protected] Aide: Jonathan Baker --------------------------- Joe Secrest, President 30 East Broad St., 34th Floor Columbus, OH 43215-3457 (614) 752-6392 [email protected] Francene Johnson, Executive Secretary 30 East Broad St., 34th Floor Columbus, OH 43215-3457 (614) 466-5721 [email protected] "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 1, 200916 yr I forgot to post this here yesterday...... http://209.51.133.155/cms/index.php/news_releases/more/next_stop_passenger_rail_statewide/ Next stop: passenger rail statewide FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE — March 31, 2009 Contact: Ken Prendergast All Aboard Ohio Executive Director (216) 288-4883 [email protected] Largely unnoticed by the public in last week’s stimulus announcement by the Ohio Department of Transportation was a $7 million allocation for developing the Ohio Hub passenger and freight rail system. That amount will be used by Ohio Rail Development Commission to conduct Programmatic Environmental Impact Studies of four corridors; making them eligible for federal high-speed rail funds: • Cleveland – Cincinnati • Cleveland – Pittsburgh • Cleveland – Toledo • Toledo – Columbus “All Aboard Ohio is pleased that this funding was awarded,” said Ken Prendergast, executive director of All Aboard Ohio. “With these funds, ORDC will be able to respond to interest in passenger rail development throughout the state and advance the planning to where fast passenger trains are eligible to receive federal funds.” To be eligible for federal construction funds, a transportation project must go through a project development process as proscribed by the National Environmental Policy Act. That process requires that an environmental impact statement (EIS) be prepared before federal funding can be approved for a project. An EIS identifies and assesses the impacts of acquiring property, laying tracks, building stations or other physical improvements that could affect natural or built environments. Impacts could include private property acquisitions, owner/user displacements, structural demolitions plus vehicular noise, vibration or emissions affecting nearby historic sites and sensitive natural areas like wetlands or wildlife preserves. Each EIS, which could take a year to complete, will then recommend mitigation strategies to achieve a finding of no significant impact from the U.S. Department of Transportation. All Aboard Ohio understands that the four EIS analyses may be undertaken simultaneously. Often, capital investments made within existing transportation rights of way can receive a categorical exclusion from having to conduct an environmental impact analysis. That may be the case with the planned Cleveland – Columbus – Dayton – Cincinnati (3-C) Corridor Amtrak startup service as it will use existing freight rail rights of way. But that’s probably as far as passenger rail development in Ohio can advance without the EIS, Prendergast said. END "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 1, 200916 yr Ohio faces competition for federal rail money True. As noted before, though, Ohio and the rest of rust belt, have been hit particularly hard by the economic downturn after already having been hurt by the demise of the steel industry. The Obama administration has shown a strong interest in the Midwest and in Ohio, in particular. The North East is already targeted for the bulk of the money. I'd be surprised if the Ohio Hub or Midwest High Speed Rail initiatives weren't given at least a bone to chew on. The Democratic majority in both houses may not be so secure if there isn't significant economic recovery before the mid-terms.
April 1, 200916 yr Ohio faces competition for federal rail money True. As noted before, though, Ohio and the rest of rust belt, have been hit particularly hard by the economic downturn after already having been hurt by the demise of the steel industry. The Obama administration has shown a strong interest in the Midwest and in Ohio, in particular. The North East is already targeted for the bulk of the money. I'd be surprised if the Ohio Hub or Midwest High Speed Rail initiatives weren't given at least a bone to chew on. The Democratic majority in both houses may not be so secure if there isn't significant economic recovery before the mid-terms. I would disagree that Obama has shown a strong interest here. We need him to, and sending us AT LEAST our cut of the rail money is paramount. The midwest should be targeted for the bulk of the rail money, because we've seen so much less national investment than the coasts and because we stand to gain the most from rail expansion. The east and west coasts already have functinonal passenger rail.
April 1, 200916 yr State bill includes Cincinnati rail study http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090401/NEWS0108/304010032 By jon Craig • [email protected] • April 1, 2009 COLUMBUS, Ohio – State legislators approved a $9.6 billion transportation budget Wednesday that includes money to study a statewide passenger rail line between Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus and Cleveland. "It's just fate, as usual, keeping its bargain and screwing us in the fine print..." - John Crichton
April 1, 200916 yr The State Controlling Board: For the 128th General Assembly Sen. John Carey (R-17, Wellston) Senate Building, Room 127, First Floor Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 466-8156 [email protected] Aide: Katherine Frisina --------------------------- Rep. Vernon Sykes (D-4, Akron) Riffe Center, 13th Floor Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 466-3100 [email protected] Aide: Lubna Najjar --------------------------- Sen. Mark Wagoner (R-2, Toledo) Senate Building, Room 129, First Floor Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 466-8060 [email protected] Aide: Brad Barger --------------------------- Rep. Clayton Luckie (D-39, Dayton) Riffe Center, 13th Floor Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 466-1607 [email protected] Aide: Erin Synk --------------------------- Sen. Ray Miller (D-15, Columbus) Senate Building, Room 228, Second Floor Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 466-5131 [email protected] Aide: Lyanne Wolf-Sabatino --------------------------- Rep. Jay Hottinger (R-71, Newark) Riffe Center, 10th Floor Columbus, OH 43215 (614) 466-1482 [email protected] Aide: Jonathan Baker --------------------------- Joe Secrest, President 30 East Broad St., 34th Floor Columbus, OH 43215-3457 (614) 752-6392 [email protected] Francene Johnson, Executive Secretary 30 East Broad St., 34th Floor Columbus, OH 43215-3457 (614) 466-5721 [email protected] Tom Patton isn't on this board? Gee... that's too bad.
April 1, 200916 yr But Strickland surely is on board. Check out the tie he wore at an environmental event yesterday...... And I don't think the reporter of this article understood what ODOT wants the money for. It's to build infrastructure for passenger rail, not to study it. Even the planning work Amtrak is doing right now isn't a feasibility study. It's an implementation plan.... State bill includes Cincinnati rail study http://news.cincinnati.com/article/20090401/NEWS0108/304010032 By jon Craig [email protected] April 1, 2009 COLUMBUS, Ohio State legislators approved a $9.6 billion transportation budget Wednesday that includes money to study a statewide passenger rail line between Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus and Cleveland. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
April 1, 200916 yr While not having read the final version of the bill it was my understanding that the bill does not contain any money for intercity passenger rail but gives the ORDC the authority to apply for funding which then has to be approved by a super majority of the Ohio Controlling Board.
April 1, 200916 yr Correct. But nowhere in the bill is a study or even a plan mentioned. "In the souls of the people the grapes of wrath are filling and growing heavy, growing heavy for the vintage." -- John Steinbeck
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