Let's hope that since he got elected, now he can easily neglect to follow through on his promises to kill the project, like most politicians.  Especially when he realizes he can't use the money for roads and bridges after all.  Kasich can just say LaHood is being an obstructionist to his "vision" for the state, and begrudgingly use the money for 3-C anyway since he'd rather do that than let other states have it. 

From: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Rail/Programs/passenger/3CisME/Pages/default.aspx

 

3C Progress Continues with New FRA Report

 

Ohio is another step closer to establishing 3C "Quick Start" Passenger Rail Service with the release of a draft "Finding of No Significant Impact" (FONSI) by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

 

The Ohio Department of Transportation today announced that the

FRA  agreed with the Environmental Assessment (EA) prepared by ODOT and national rail experts that the Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati 3C "Quick Start" Passenger Rail Service would have no significant impact on the environment.

 

The EA was conducted last year as part of a grant competition for federal stimulus funds made available for rail projects across the country from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). FRA announced last winter that Ohio won a $400 million grant for 3C as a result of its strong plan.

 

Ohio is moving forward with phase 2 of the effort now, which will complete more detailed environmental analysis and engineering design around train stations and along the track, and conduct initial freight railroad negotiations.

 

Later expenditures, to be authorized by the Ohio State Controlling Board, will pay for vehicle purchases, station construction and upgrades to existing freight train lines and signals. All of these steps are necessary to bring intercity passenger rail service to Ohioans.

 

 

Complete Reports Available

 

The FONSI and EA are available online at 3CisMe.ohio.gov and

at libraries, ODOT district offices and local metropolitan planning organizations along the 3C route including:

 

Cincinnati Public Library

Clark County Public Library

Cleveland Public Library

Columbus Metropolitan Library

Dayton Metro Library

Clark County-Springfield Transportation Study (CCSTS)

Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC)

Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC)

Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA)

Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana (OKI) Regional Council of Governments

Richland County Regional Planning Commission (RCRPC)

 

We Want to Hear from You

 

Comments on the FONSI will be accepted until December 3, 2010, either online at 3CisMe.ohio.gov or by mail to:

 

3C Project Comments

Parsons Brinckerhoff

312 Elm Street, Suite 2500

Cincinnati, OH  45202

 

 

What's Next

 

With the issuance of the FONSI, the initial National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) phase of project development is complete. All environmental commitments in the EA and FONSI will be followed. ODOT will host public meetings before the end of the year to discuss the next steps in detailed studies, documentation and design, and to seek your input on rail stations for start-up service between Cincinnati, Sharonville, Dayton, Riverside, Springfield, Columbus and Cleveland. We will send out meeting announcements as soon as dates and locations are confirmed.

 

Why 3C

 

The purpose of reestablishing conventional (up to 79 mph) passenger rail service in the 3C Corridor is to link Ohio's three largest cities - Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland. This will provide convenient travel options for the 220,000 college students located within 10 miles of a 3C station as well as the 6 million people who live along the route.

 

Additionally, the 3C investment will improve existing freight rails, crossings and signaling systems. Economic development around train stations, as seen in other states with passenger rail, is also anticipated here.

 

The start-up service will develop the passenger rail market for further development in the future. 3C "Quick Start" will create at least 255 immediate construction jobs and as many 8,000 spin-off jobs. Already, there are at least 225 rail suppliers and vendors in Ohio today that employ more than 26,000 people. This employment base will grow as rail service increases across the country.

 

Once established, 3C "Quick Start" will allow for future improvements and expansion projects that will move Ohio's intercity passenger rail program toward the FRA's definition of "Emerging High Speed Rail" with top speeds of 90 to 110 mph. Further objectives are to connect the new passenger rail system with major commercial airports; the highway network; local public transportation services; and walkable, bikable communities. This will help relieve congestion on the existing transportation system in a manner sensitive to and protective of Ohio's human and natural resources.

 

The Ohio Department of Transportation today announced that the

FRA agreed with the Environmental Assessment (EA) prepared by ODOT and national rail experts that the Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati 3C "Quick Start" Passenger Rail Service would have no significant impact on the environment.

 

No significant impact or no significant negative impact?

A FONSI (say "Fonzi" like in Happy Days Fonzi but with an S instead of a Z) means no significant negative impact. It means the feds gave the project a clean bill of health and that it can proceed without adding environmental remediation features.

How much State money has been invested in 3C to date?  How much from the Feds?

Another possibility is that Kasich gives the green light to upgrade the rails (to the benefit of the freight companies) and then returns the funds for stations and passenger cars.  That would be a small step forward, better than returning the entire $400M.

KJP, this is a tough break.  Any way for Kasich to back out of this?

How much State money has been invested in 3C to date? How much from the Feds?

 

Some state funding was used for the Tier I planning that was done to submit a federally eligible application for the $400 million. I don't recall how much. But if it was more than $1 million I'd be surprised.

 

 

Another possibility is that Kasich gives the green light to upgrade the rails (to the benefit of the freight companies) and then returns the funds for stations and passenger cars. That would be a small step forward, better than returning the entire $400M.

 

When the feds give a state or local government money for a project, it comes only after you have signed a contract with the feds that you will use it for the purposes promised. If you don't, you are subject to serious penalties.

 

KJP, this is a tough break. Any way for Kasich to back out of this?

 

He (and many voters) could go see what the civilized world is doing and realize that America is in a comparitive disadvantage at providing its citizens with the most important political dividend of all -- quality of life.

Do you really think someone like Kasich cares about quality of life?  He's the type of person who puts the term livable communities in quotes. 

Do you really think someone like Kasich cares about quality of life? He's the type of person who puts the term livable communities in quotes.

 

No, I don't and I really don't think that is relevant.  What I do think is relevant and what I would think he would care about is $400,000,000.00 of federal dollars.  There must be some politically acceptable way he can back out of hiw campaign promise.  KJP?

I think we are drawing assumptions based solely on what (up to this point) has been campaign rhetoric.  What happens when the rhetoric meets reality is yet to be seen.

How's this for rhetoric......

 

Kasich names staff members

Business First - by Jeff Bell

Date: Wednesday, November 3, 2010, 3:09pm EDT

 

...Kasich also reiterated his commitment to get more money into Ohio classrooms by reducing spending on administrative functions. He also said he will stick by his campaign promise to stop the 3C passenger rail project from Cleveland to Cincinnati.

 

“That train is dead,” Kasich said. “We’re not going to have it.”

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2010/11/03/kasich-names-staff-members.html

Nevertheless, a letter-writing campaign seems to be in order.  He only just barely beat out Strickland, so it might be worth reiterating that his staunch opposition to this project is not shared by all of the electorate.  Aside from that though, he can't be so stupid that he doesn't see the nightmare he'll create for himself at the next election.  I can guarantee there will be opposing political ads along the line of "Kasich refused $400 million worth of Federal dollars that were going to be spent in Ohio to improve transportation and create jobs.  That money was spent in California/Michigan/New York/wherever instead.  Do you really want to reelect a governor who'd rather send our tax money to other states?"  Of course this would be accompanied by black and white photos of Kasich looking mean and nasty, along with photos of construction cranes and new railroads whizzing by in other states. 

How's this for rhetoric......

 

Kasich names staff members

Business First - by Jeff Bell

Date: Wednesday, November 3, 2010, 3:09pm EDT

 

...Kasich also reiterated his commitment to get more money into Ohio classrooms by reducing spending on administrative functions. He also said he will stick by his campaign promise to stop the 3C passenger rail project from Cleveland to Cincinnati.

 

That train is dead, Kasich said. Were not going to have it.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.bizjournals.com/columbus/news/2010/11/03/kasich-names-staff-members.html

 

It's still rhetoric. 

Nevertheless, a letter-writing campaign seems to be in order. He only just barely beat out Strickland, so it might be worth reiterating that his staunch opposition to this project is not shared by all of the electorate. Aside from that though, he can't be so stupid that he doesn't see the nightmare he'll create for himself at the next election. I can guarantee there will be opposing political ads along the line of "Kasich refused $400 million worth of Federal dollars that were going to be spent in Ohio to improve transportation and create jobs. That money was spent in California/Michigan/New York/wherever instead. Do you really want to reelect a governor who'd rather send our tax money to other states?" Of course this would be accompanied by black and white photos of Kasich looking mean and nasty, along with photos of construction cranes and new railroads whizzing by in other states.

 

Don't forget about the "mean lady voice".

My hope is that when QE2 starts, the weakening dollar will cause a spike in the price of gas, which will drive home the need for other forms of transit in the state that aren't so reliant on foreign oil.

By then it will be too late, I'm afraid.  If the economy really tanks (no pun intended) then how can the government get any massive public works project moving? Kasich might be killing what could possibly be our only chance of keeping up with the rest of the country. The civilized world, for that matter.

Any governor-elect who thinks Mike "Dipstick" Dawson and Wayne "Soup Nazi" Struble are worthy as advisors is not a rational human being. He is arrogant, doesn't want to be confused with the facts, and a poster child for U-Haul in Ohio.

 

If you want to get anything done in Ohio for the next four years, do it without involving the state government.

So the question is, can we get the 3C done without ODOT?  It runs on private property and is heavily supported by cities along the line...right?

The 3C has the support not only of the cities, but the Chambers of Commerce along the line....so why not get them mobilized?  It has the support of young professionals and college students throughout Ohio.....they can mobilize in a nanosecond via the social networks.

 

I am puzzled why some on this forum are so ready to give up in defeat.  If you believe in passenger rail, you don't give up the fight until it happens.  No one said it was going to be easy.  Even if the Governor was re-elected, there would have still been a battle in the General Assembly.  Is passenger rail any less worth fighting for now?

Im with ya all the way; just want to make sure Kasich feels he has more to lose than gain by killing this when the fight comes to a head. 

I wonder if maybe that is the way out.  Could he somehow take the $400,000,000.00 to fix the "freight infrastructure" and then sell leases to "private" companies to run the passenger service with "tax credits" to the operator for prividing a public service, etc., etc.? Then he could say he imposed a "market solution"  and saved the tax payers from a "direct subisdy" blah, blah, blah.

The 3C has the support not only of the cities, but the Chambers of Commerce along the line....so why not get them mobilized?  It has the support of young professionals and college students throughout Ohio.....they can mobilize in a nanosecond via the social networks.

 

I am puzzled why some on this forum are so ready to give up in defeat.  If you believe in passenger rail, you don't give up the fight until it happens.  No one said it was going to be easy.  Even if the Governor was re-elected, there would have still been a battle in the General Assembly.  Is passenger rail any less worth fighting for now?

 

That was beautiful said.  Spoken in the vain of Crystal Lee Sutton.

Sadly, I bet several calls have already been made to Washington from other states wanting Ohio's $400 million.

Kasich: Passenger rail 'is dead'

By Jon Craig • [email protected] • November 3, 2010

 

COLUMBUS - Barely twelve hours after winning office, Gov.-elect John Kasich said Wednesday that creating jobs, halting the statewide passenger rail project and reining in labor unions are his top priorities.

 

"Passenger rail is not in Ohio's future.. that train is dead."

 

Kasich held his briefing at the headquarters of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, which broke a 117-year tradition by endorsing the former congressman from Westerville.

Kasich: Passenger rail 'is dead'

By Jon Craig • [email protected] • November 3, 2010

 

COLUMBUS - Barely twelve hours after winning office, Gov.-elect John Kasich said Wednesday that creating jobs, halting the statewide passenger rail project and reining in labor unions are his top priorities.

 

"Passenger rail is not in Ohio's future.. that train is dead."

 

Kasich held his briefing at the headquarters of the Ohio Chamber of Commerce, which broke a 117-year tradition by endorsing the former congressman from Westerville.

 

How about the jackazz that replied saying the train would cost Ohio at least 3 trillion dollars by comparing us to Utah?  Some people are amazing.

will this have to be moved to the cancelled projects category?

it hasnt been cancelled yet...

Are there any punishments that the feds could threaten if we don't take the money.  The country has an interest in having Ohio's neighboring states connected so I would hope that they have some leverage.

Awesome... I'm sure this will stick in the Feds' minds next time Ohio comes asking for money... this guy is an idiot.

Are there any punishments that the feds could threaten if we don't take the money.  The country has an interest in having Ohio's neighboring states connected so I would hope that they have some leverage.

 

Only thing I can think of is we may have to pay back the $25 mil. which the controlling board approved for currently ongoing studies. KJP??

I wonder if maybe that is the way out.   Could he somehow take the $400,000,000.00 to fix the "freight infrastructure" and then sell leases to "private" companies to run the passenger service with "tax credits" to the operator for prividing a public service, etc., etc.? Then he could say he imposed a "market solution"  and saved the tax payers from a "direct subisdy" blah, blah, blah.

 

Interesting, but can't be done because federal grants cannot be repurposed.

Only thing I can think of is we may have to pay back the $25 mil. which the controlling board approved for currently ongoing studies. KJP??

 

Nope. Ohio doesn't have to give back the $25 million to conduct engineering, blueprints, etc. if it doesn't build anything. The studies for 3C are long since done. This work is about preparing for construction and operation.

 

And none of the boards at the chambers of commerce in the 3Cs have endorsed 3C Quick Start. They have supported the concept of high-speed rail, but don't seem to understand that Quick Start provides the foundation for the other. Smaller chambers have backed it, but that's it. This is a big reason why Kasich sees this as an easy target to cut without angering his political base.

 

This $400 million was provided under the FRA's Corridor Development Program which has these eligible recipients: states, compacts of states, rail agencies chartered by states, or Amtrak. And Amtrak officials have already told me they would not be a willing recipient of this money because they don't want to set a precedent for other states facing political or financial troubles to simply expect they could pawn their projects off to them.

 

No one else can receive this money to develop 3C train service. ODOT cannot be used for other purposes. And if Kasich refuses the money for 3C, it cannot be used for anything other than a rail project in another state. Given his statements earlier tonight, I still don't think he understands that. But given the anti-social, hyper-selfish tendencies of at least two of his advisors, I don't think he ever will.

Cross-posted from what other states are doing with rail, due to potential parallels:

 

Millburn officials seek to pass first resolution in N.J. supporting killed ARC tunnel

 

MILLBURN – Gov. Chris Chistie may have killed the Hudson River rail tunnel, but some Millburn officials want to try and resuscitate it.

 

Township Committee member Jim Suell wants the governing body to be the first town in the state to pass a resolution in support of the Access to the Region’s Core (ARC) Tunnel.

 

http://www.nj.com/independentpress/index.ssf/2010/11/millburn_wonders_can_the_tunne.html

My question is, what can the federal government do if Kasich goes ahead and spends the money on highways?  Is there really anything that can really be done? 

My question is, what can the federal government do if Kasich goes ahead and spends the money on highways? Is there really anything that can really be done?

 

He can't. Ohio doesn't have the 3C money. It has been pledged to Ohio but not received until Ohio completes the engineering work now underway. Besides, no money changes hands anyway. It's all done through accounting stuff like encumbrances, etc.

 

For arguments sake, if Kasich allows the engineering to conclude, then accepts the remaining $375 million for 3C rail but then uses it for roads, then ODOT administrators (and possibly the governor if it can be proven he director them to act) will be arrested, brought up on federal charges, most likely convicted, sent to prison, the $375 million recovered and Ohio's federal highway program will be penalized with interest.

My question is, what can the federal government do if Kasich goes ahead and spends the money on highways?  Is there really anything that can really be done? 

 

Perhaps they could withhold future highway funds? Fines? It's federal money, and our state should follow the law and use it for its intended purpose.

The money can't be spent on highways. Only on passenger rail.

There has got to be a plan 'B' that goes beyond a public outcry from urban enthusiasts, environmental groups, transit advocates, etc.  I think that may in fact only embolden him as he has ran successfully on spiting the democrats and Obama.  It will be easy for him to paint anyone that criticizes his cancelling of the project as "the left" even if they are in fact moderates or even republicans. 

 

He has to be in danger of losing something politically if in fact he tries to kill this.  Maybe that comes from the Feds, maybe it comes from somewhere else; who knows.  IMO, though, it will mean the most in the eyes of the general public if a large portion of the business community and even the railroads themselves come out in full support of the 3C and say how much it will mean for direct job creation.  That will make Kasich look like he is turning his back on his only election platform.

 

IMO, though, it will mean the most in the eyes of the general public if a large portion of the business community and even the railroads themselves come out in full support of the 3C and say how much it will mean for direct job creation. That will make Kasich look like he is turning his back on his only election platform.

 

 

Won't happen. Here's what Ohio's chief lobbyist for General Electric (you know, the folks who manufacture passenger locomotives at their huge plant in Erie, PA and have a passenger rail car assembly and repair shop near Cleveland in Cuyahoga Heights?) said to me about one month ago (this is a paraphrase): "3C isn't big enough for us to spend political capital on. We're not going to write a letter to John Kasich or Shannon Jones asking them not to cut 3C if they're elected. The only people who seem to be asking for 3C is All Aboard Ohio."

 

And the freight railroads won't ask for 3C to be saved because it will put them at a disadvantage in negotiations with the state if 3C is saved, and set a bad precedent for them in negotiations with other states for their rail passenger projects. Their "give" is letting public-sector project sponsors have access to their privately owned rights of way in exchange for ensuring that service to their freight customers is just as whole and untarnished after the passenger rail service starts as it was before it started. And you do that with capacity improvements based on simulations like those recently done by Woodside Consulting for ODOT that showed a 50 mph average speed could be had.

 

The freight railroads will gain capacity enhancements at times of the day the passenger trains are not running (mostly at night) and that will bring a measurable benefit to them. But they will never admit it.

Perhaps our country would have been better off w/out the federal interstate highway system - at least in the centralized form that it was developed (I'm Whiggish Hamiltonian federalist - so gov'ts should invest in infrastructure, but not necessarily entirely directed from D.C.). Anyway, I don't support high speed rail - I don't think the investment is worth it - esp. to get above 125 mph. However, regular, reliable, speedy rail is great and something that Ohio ought to have. Sadly, the man started in Westerville which turned its rail connection into a bikepath - maybe he's bitter about that.

Ohio will have no edge INTO the future.

Quote from Kasich's news conference (Wednesday) re: the 3C.

 

"The train is dead. I said so during the campaign. You're not going to have it."

 

So, if you believe passenger rail in the 3C is a good idea and good for Ohio's future....what are you going to do to fight for it?

 

It's not enough to preach to the choir in largely friendly forums like U-O...even though this is a great gathering place for people who care about urban and state issues. And it's way to easy to throw up one's hands and concede to the idealogues who took their cheap shots at the 3C project during the just-ended campaign.

 

Voices...like those on these web pages...need to be heard in newspapers, on radio and TV...and those who manage these local media need to hear from you as well.

 

So, I ask again....if you think the 3C passenger rail is a good idea what are you going to do to fight for it?

No one else can receive this money to develop 3C train service. ODOT cannot be used for other purposes. And if Kasich refuses the money for 3C, it cannot be used for anything other than a rail project in another state. Given his statements earlier tonight, I still don't think he understands that. But given the anti-social, hyper-selfish tendencies of at least two of his advisors, I don't think he ever will.

 

You are giving this guy way to much credit in assuming he doesn't understand.  It's pretty clear that he didn't even examine the issue from the perspective that you're speaking about.  He's simply doing it to be willfull, to assert himself.  This action is simply his new authority made manifest.  It's the new sheriff in town act.

 

It's not even a political 'cover your ass' move- how many Tea Party insurgents knocked off Republican incumbents in primaries in Ohio?  He's got nothing to fear from letting this go forward.  Even if he lets it go and it gets killed in the General Assembly, he's lost nothing.

 

The Republicans decided to be against rail because they either thought it would help them win votes, at least in their primaries.  You're not going to convince these people, because they have no interest in being convinced.  They have the power and the authority. 

 

The only way you could even try to get this done is to find countervailing power and authority.  If, for example, the local governments along the route could work together in lieu of the state with the feds in order to create some sort of independent and interposing authority, a public-private partnership between the railroads and the local governments that has the ability to treat with the federales for their invesment, then perhaps you could just make an end-run around the state government.  Otherwise, you're Kasiched.

Convene Republican rail supporters from around the state. We do have them. Mike DeWine was a big Amtrak supporter in the Senate, and used to take family vacations on Amtrak. He likes trains and transit. Former Congressman Dave Hobson also likes trains. Former State Rep. Gene Krebs, now head of Greater Ohio, is a big transit and 3-C supporter. Consult former ORDC head Jim Seney to rally the troops for the Republican 3-C plan he presided over.

Unfortunately we can make him believe that it is political suicide to cancel the train. That would probably be the only way to change his mind.

Spread an ad campaign like this EVERYWHERE--including buying full-pages in the Dispatch, PD, and Cinci's paper:

 

Kasich wants to keep Ohio out of the future.

Giving back stimulus funds for the 3C train that keep Ohio competitive with other states.*

If he can't see how the train will help Ohio and will kill the project,

Then who knows what other devastating things he'll do while in office.

That will increase joblessness in Ohio and watch companies move elsewhere.

IMPEACH KASICH NOW!

 

*At the bottom of the ad, present some quick, objective facts about the 3C line.

 

 

Convene Republican rail supporters from around the state. We do have them. Mike DeWine was a big Amtrak supporter in the Senate, and used to take family vacations on Amtrak. He likes trains and transit. Former Congressman Dave Hobson also likes trains. Former State Rep. Gene Krebs, now head of Greater Ohio, is a big transit and 3-C supporter. Consult former ORDC head Jim Seney to rally the troops for the Republican 3-C plan he presided over.

 

I'm thinking this is the best option.  Fight fire with fire.  "You can't beat them, join them."

Nothin' wrong with that!

^^^ and ^^^^

 

I think the call for impeachment is a bit too firey. Sounds like extremism, and turns people off.

You are giving this guy way to much credit in assuming he doesn't understand. It's pretty clear that he didn't even examine the issue from the perspective that you're speaking about. He's simply doing it to be willfull, to assert himself. This action is simply his new authority made manifest. It's the new sheriff in town act.

 

BTW, the Kasich comment I referred to last night was that he intended to speak with the railroads on how to improve them. I am going to assume this means he will also ask them if the $400 million can be used to benefit them. This is where his learning process will likely start.

 

Depending on what the freight railroads tell him, he may learn that:

 

+ $200 million of the 3C funding will pay for infrastructure (added tracks, switches, signals) that will make their rail traffic flow more smoothly.

+ $55 million of the 3C's budget will go toward improving grade crossing safety (more flashers/gates, etc) that will also benefit the freight railroads.

 

As I've stated before, there is no guarantee the freight railroads will mention this. And the conversation go could very differently. If Kasich asks the freight railroads "are you interested in passenger service?" They will probably say no. If Kasich asks "then the $400 million won't benefit you?" The freight railroads may again say no because they don't want to undermine their position in negotiations with Ohio or other states. If that is how the conversation goes, and no one else is heard by Kasich, then he will probably decline the 3C grant.

 

If there are other voices, including all of you, then good things can happen. Write e-mails, texts, and letters to the editor of your local papers and to Kasich's new policy advisor Wayne Struble and explain that:

 

"Two-thirds of 3C's grant will create a more modern, efficient and safer rail corridor for freight and passenger users between Ohio's largest cities. Most of the rest of the funding will create total transportation centers that unite rail, bus, bikes and pedestrians in the hearts of Ohio's central business districts, creating jobs at small and large businesses and promoting the kind of urban vibrancy sought by Ohio's young adults and Baby Boomers -- the nation's two largest population groups."