The Goodyear Corporate Campus is more than just Goodyear, though. It also include the retail/town center and the industrial park. The rail line runs through the wording "industrial park" in the graphic below......

 

Is this the correct thread for the news of a study that sounds like its boundaries will be exclusively in the city of Akron?  I'm not picking up a "commuter" vibe from this grant.  My take is that Metro is going to take seriously the idea that they have a rail line that should be able to easily enhance their current services.  Maybe the study does take more than a cursory look at the potential outside of Akron for possible new stations and stops.  Possible new stations- Belden Village and CAK with obviously a stop in Canton.

  Hopefully the next grant that comes out is a dual-grant with SARTA to explore the commuter angle. 

 

  For unknowing UOers, the Merriman Valley is more of an entertainment district with about 30-40 bars and restaurants with less than 5 being national chains.  It has all this without any retail destinations or even large employer.  It straddles the Cuyahoga river and the towpath and is wedged in by Cuyahoga Valley NP and metro parks that surround the valley.  About 5000 people live in this area with probably about 2000+ going to University of Akron or Kent State.  This stands as an obvious instant TOD- just add a railway stop(and a train)..

It's about an 8 mile corridor from the Merriman Valley to the south side of the city. It may not go all the way to Canton or Cleveland, but if it ends up getting passenger rail that isn't primarily for seeing a park (CVSR), than that's an important first step toward eventual commuter rail. If this happens (which is far from guaranteed of course) it'll be a lot easier to add a 9th or 10th (or 25th for that matter) mile to the route than to get it started to begin with.

Bingo. I think Akron Metro wants to start with this because it can afford to do it. The incremental cost of providing a starter commuter rail service on this route could be small enough ($50 million or less) that it could be funded out of an FTA "Small Starts" grant. I understand starting with this route on the north end rather than going up to Hudson because it avoids the politically sensitive issue of going through Silver Lake. If the heavens don't fall and the earth doesn't open up with the coming of this new rail service, and there is actually is some new development and transit ridership resulting from this, then folks in Silver Lake might not be so scared of it (especially if the Route 8 soundwalls and the rail line exchanged positions).

 

As for the south end of the rail line, I'm not sure I understand that choice. If it were me, I'd continue the study area south to Akron-Canton Airport which would stay in Akron Metro's service area.

 

I frequented the Valley Business District when I was at Kent State in the 1980s, especially at a couple of nightspots in Liberty Commons -- what passed for smart growth back then! I usually hung out there with a couple of friends from UofA. The rail line could easily link up with PARTA's express buses to Kent, which head east out of Akron on Market Street and then to I-76, right where the Goodyear Corporate Campus is located.

Well I don't disagree that this will end up turning into some kind of commuter line at some point.  The previous studies were mainly Cleveland-centric of how to get a commuter rail line down to Akron.  I don't think the paths chosen had enough bang for the buck.  There were serious issues with getting into Akron crossing over some mainline tracks which turned out to be prohibitively expensive. 

  I don't believe the Cuyahoga Valley line has ever been looked at in a serious study as a commuter railroad.  There will be huge amount of support for using this railroad once this study gets going.  UA, Goodyear, and CAK will be the biggest beneficiaries of such a rail line.  I don't see how the people that do the study will be able to avoid looking at CAK as an obvious, natural stop.

The previous studies were mainly Cleveland-centric of how to get a commuter rail line down to Akron.

The Cleveland Centric-ness of the previous plans was both a strength and a weakness. By going all the way to Cleveland, you add significantly to the ridership, but you also add to the cost and more importantly you add to the number of people that have to cooperate to make it happen and that can scream "Not in my back yard!"

 

I don't see how the people that do the study will be able to avoid looking at CAK as an obvious, natural stop.

With CAK, if this line ever goes there, the tracks are about 3/4 of a mile across 77 from the building. You could really easily put up a platform and have a van or bus waiting to take passengers over to the terminal. It sounds perfect.

 

UA, Goodyear, and CAK will be the biggest beneficiaries of such a rail line.

Why not put a station by the Football Hall of Fame too? A station at Fulton road would be within easy walking distance.

Why not put a station by the Football Hall of Fame too? A station at Fulton road would be within easy walking distance.

 

It's outside of Akron Metro's service area. CAK is the farthest south one can take a train and still be in Akron Metro's service area. A co-local agreement with SARTA could be done to look at service south of CAK, but for some reason this was not pursued.

The previous studies were mainly Cleveland-centric of how to get a commuter rail line down to Akron.

The Cleveland Centric-ness of the previous plans was both a strength and a weakness. By going all the way to Cleveland, you add significantly to the ridership, but you also add to the cost and more importantly you add to the number of people that have to cooperate to make it happen and that can scream "Not in my back yard!"

 

 

Well Keith, I think you're on the right track (no pun intended)... although, rather than NIMBY, I think you'll hear:  "We're not going to pay for THAT."

Here's a map to show how this starter route could fit into a grander vision....

 

^Wait, Metro owns the tracks through Tallmadge to Kent?

Yep.

 

To me, the routes could be operated as:

 

> Valley Business District - Akron Northside - Kent

> Hudson - Downtown Akron - Canton

 

And after I did the above map, I realized that if commuter rail were operated as these two routes and in that manner, there would probably need to be a transfer station in the valley in the vicinity of Arlington Street.

Hopefully those tracks can be lit up one after another with Metro service..  If I recall in the AMATs budget, they want to make the track from Akron to Kent a nice little walkway instead..  I really have no idea why.  Hopefully with this study they may delay that for potential rail re-use.

 

  To me, the study will be looking at only the most obvious and highest utilized section of track.  For example in the valley area it takes about 15 minutes to drive to a highway.  People often say they are in the middle of nowhere when they live down there because of that.  With a train stop I don't think they would feel that way anymore.  Most of the people living in the valley will have a destination of downtown Akron during the day so why not take a train if its faster than driving, incurs no parking costs, and no searching for parking spots.

 

The issue I see with the study is the scope of this and the potential to become rapidly something much bigger.  Basically, the study to me is looking at this track as 8 miles of metro service with likely extension to Akron Canton in the future.  That sounds great yes.  Well say SARTA & SCATS come along and say they want to participate in this rail link with Akron and the airport so that there are now 2 cities downtowns served by rail to the airport as well as real commuter service between Akron and Canton.  Does the equipment change for this more of a commuter rail vs a light rail that may have been staying in Akron area?  Certainly a double track would be needed at this point in sections. 

  Say then KSU/Kent/Parta want to get involved with this train stuff too once they see trains rolling from Akron to Canton.  I would think it would be more of a DMU service that would be set up there.  Or maybe they will be content with buses rolling to the Goodyear facility..  I highly doubt that.

  Finally after seeing all these trains going every which way from Kent to Akron to Canton, Hudson/Stow/CF/SL mayors and councils finally see the light and want to get on board and be connected too. 

  Will other communities sue to be a part of this network- Barberton, Macedonia, Peninsula, Ravenna?

  Surely there will be some push to connect to Cleveland..  My feeling is it will be through the valley and I think it will happen before there is Metro train service going into Hudson(hell freezing over?)

 

The above sounds like a pipe dream but the thing is the tracks are there.  Some crossings may need to be updated in certain sections.  Some approvals will need to be granted by certain agencies and RR companies to cross over.  The only thing missing is the locomotives and passenger cars and most important the political will to implement.  That is where this study will help to start to kick this off.  We shall see if the hard numbers bear out what I've been saying in regards to the Merriman Valley. 

 

 

And after I did the above map, I realized that if commuter rail were operated as these two routes and in that manner, there would probably need to be a transfer station in the valley in the vicinity of Arlington Street.

I'm very confused in what you are saying here.  I'm guessing you meant there will be need to be a transfer station in Akron near Arlington.  I foresee most rail stops having buses/circulators meeting trains.  Why would this be any different?

 

Nevermind I figured out what you were saying.  I forgot that North Arlington is up in the Elizabeth valley.  That is the whole tricky area of doing anything with trains in Akron.  I doubt it will be easy getting into the downtown intramodal center across the various tracks with any kind of regular service.

Hopefully those tracks can be lit up one after another with Metro service..  If I recall in the AMATs budget, they want to make the track from Akron to Kent a nice little walkway instead..  I really have no idea why.  Hopefully with this study they may delay that for potential rail re-use.

 

Akron Metro RTA also wants the bike path as they cannot get interest from a rail freight user for that right of way. They feel a bike path would provide the means to preserve the corridor. I think that's risky, but the lack of other immediate users and funding, that may be the only option to keep that right of way from decaying further.

 

To me, the study will be looking at only the most obvious and highest utilized section of track.  For example in the valley area it takes about 15 minutes to drive to a highway.  People often say they are in the middle of nowhere when they live down there because of that.  With a train stop I don't think they would feel that way anymore.  Most of the people living in the valley will have a destination of downtown Akron during the day so why not take a train if its faster than driving, incurs no parking costs, and no searching for parking spots.

 

Interesting.

 

Certainly a double track would be needed at this point in sections. 

 

A reliable and fairly frequent commuter rail service (every 20-30 minutes) can be operated with signaled single track and passing sidings.

 

  Will other communities sue to be a part of this network- Barberton, Macedonia, Peninsula, Ravenna?

 

If this thing works on a starter route or two, then the me-too factor will be a pretty powerful force. There will always be those who don't want it or don't think it will work in their area because they may have lived in the same place for so long they can't appreciate all that it has to offer to a rail service.

 

  Surely there will be some push to connect to Cleveland..  My feeling is it will be through the valley and I think it will happen before there is Metro train service going into Hudson(hell freezing over?)

 

Who knows.... Maybe the best option would be to bring back the old Northern Ohio high-speed electric line between Akron and Cleveland, much of which is occupied by Route 8 today!

 

EDIT: this was the Crittenden Cutoff -- a more direct, faster, double-track high-speed right of way for the Northern Ohio Traction & Light Co. (later became Ohio Edison now part of First Energy) between Cleveland, Akron, Canton and other cities on other routes. This was their pride and joy -- where their three-car express trains could cruise at 80 mph. Today, this is Route 8 where cars roll at a much slower pace and burn petroleum, most of which is imported from faraway lands, and pass through sprawling suburbs where you need a car to do everything....

 

But from 1913 to 1931, from south of Bedford to north of Cuyahoga Falls, this was the scene:

 

 

 

Don't recognize this spot? You will. This is looking south at the crossing of Route 82 in Macedonia, with the NOT&L passenger station and electrical substation at right:

 

 

 

A Supreme Court ruling that forced companies like NOT&L to divorce their electric utility and railway operations into separate ownerships, the Great Depression and the government's construction of paved highways doomed the NOT&L's interurban railways, which were abandoned in 1931. This was the view almost 20 years later:

 

 

 

And almost exactly the same view today:

 

Remarkable.  Those trains and infrastructure look almost comparable to the Red Line... I guess it was the Vans dream to have these trains access downtown via the the (now) Blue/Green/Red Line ROW... Darn shame it never happened.

Pretty freaky..  I live about a .5 north of that substation. 

 

  I'm contemplating whether to take a job with a company in Tower City..  Rail would be a very sweet option.  I'm not sure its worth it to drive 20-25 minutes up to Warrensville rd to hop on the Blue line..  I think I can be downtown in about 25..  Should I decide to work for this company I'll likely move since its a well paying position to Solon/Gates Mills for it.. I kid!

A few weeks of driving I-480 and I-77 every day (especially in snow) might change your mind! ;-)

Akron Metro RTA also wants the bike path as they cannot get interest from a rail freight user for that right of way. They feel a bike path would provide the means to preserve the corridor. I think that's risky, but the lack of other immediate users and funding, that may be the only option to keep that right of way from decaying further.

From the look of it on Google maps parts of it are already converted to bike path. Or at least it appears that way. (I wish it had been a bike path when I used to commute down 261.)

 

I'm contemplating whether to take a job with a company in Tower City..  Rail would be a very sweet option.  I'm not sure its worth it to drive 20-25 minutes up to Warrensville rd to hop on the Blue line..  I think I can be downtown in about 25.. 

My suggestion (to you or anyone else that's listening) if you do drive up and take the Blue line, drive all the way up to the Drexmore station. If you get there a few minutes before the blue line catch it there, if you end up just missing it, you can walk the 1/4 mile over to the Shaker Square station and catch the green line there. (Shaker Square doesn't have parking.) It'll save you waiting however long it it between the blue line trains, and there's no way to predict exactly how much time it'll take you to get there because of traffic. (Though afternoon traffic is worse at 271/480 than morning)

Probably not worth it to drive to the Warrensville station.  So many lights, and then a ton of stops in Shaker.  The highway would be faster on all but the worst days.  I've heard that Canal Road is a decent shortcut from Macedonia to downtown, but I never did try it.

 

I'm contemplating whether to take a job with a company in Tower City..  Rail would be a very sweet option.  I'm not sure its worth it to drive 20-25 minutes up to Warrensville rd to hop on the Blue line..  I think I can be downtown in about 25.. 

My suggestion (to you or anyone else that's listening) if you do drive up and take the Blue line, drive all the way up to the Drexmore station. If you get there a few minutes before the blue line catch it there, if you end up just missing it, you can walk the 1/4 mile over to the Shaker Square station and catch the green line there. (Shaker Square doesn't have parking.) It'll save you waiting however long it it between the blue line trains, and there's no way to predict exactly how much time it'll take you to get there because of traffic. (Though afternoon traffic is worse at 271/480 than morning)

 

This would work better, but you're still probably better off driving.

Probably not worth it to drive to the Warrensville station.  So many lights, and then a ton of stops in Shaker.  The highway would be faster on all but the worst days.  I've heard that Canal Road is a decent shortcut from Macedonia to downtown, but I never did try it.

 

I use Canal/Valley View all the time as my father lives in Macedonia. It's the same travel time as I-480/271 except during rush hours when I-480 is bad. There are times when I-480 takes 30 minutes to go from 77 to 271. I avoid that stretch of the road like the plague, especially in the afternoons.

It's really interesting to read about this kind of stuff. Hopefully something happens soon!

 

Just curious, but how long would it take Akron METRO to get something like this started? For the sake of example, let's just say that METRO magically had all the money it needs to start the project tomorrow (heh, would be nice, wouldn't it? :-P). Approximately how long would it take them to get everything set up and start accepting passengers?

If they had the capital and operating money right now? Probably a year or two before service could start rolling, depending on what train equipment they would need. If they planned to order new trains, two years. If they acquired existing second-hand equipment and rebuilt it, one year. Other than used equipment, there are no trains sitting in a showroom someplace waiting for Akron Metro RTA to buy them.

 

Considering that all the right of way is already owned by the public sector (including Akron Metro itself), this could happen much more quickly than other new-start commuter rail operations. Here is a POSSIBLE, THEORETICAL, COULD BE, MAYBE timeline:

 

Winter/spring 2012: start Alternatives Analysis

Winter/spring 2013: complete Alternatives Analysis

Spring 2013: select LPA (Locally Preferred Alternative) and submit it to FTA (Federal Transit Administration)

Fall 2013: secure FTA funding with up to 50% local match for PE/EIS (preliminary engineering/environmental impact statement) of LPA

Fall 2014: complete PE/EIS

Fall 2014: start seeking private, local, state and federal (up to half of the money from FTA) for final design and construction

Fall 2015: begin final design, secure property for stations, order or rebuild train equipment, construction, testing

Fall 2017: service begins

 

Six years would be REALLY fast!!!! If there are any complications in securing funding for any of the above steps (there usually is!), or if the FTA is really busy with reviewing other projects, or if the FTA's planning requirements or funding requirements change, add time to this POSSIBLE, THEORETICAL, COULD BE, MAYBE timeline.

 

More realistically, sometime in 2018 is probably the earliest that any service could start.

 

BTW, if you want to go window shopping for some railcars, here's a couple of good places to look:

 

http://www.trains-trams-trolleys.com/home/coaches.htm (the New Jersey Transit Comets might be good!)

http://www.cabooses4sale.com/passenger.htm (the Long Island RR blue stripes carbodies are good but their interiors need replacement)

http://www.ozarkmountainrailcar.com/catalog.asp?catid=380&n=Passenger-Cars (the stainless steel bilevels from Chicago are nice)

http://www.thedieselshop.us/LTE.HTML If you need second-hand locomotives, this is the place to go -- especially since they are nearby in McDonald, OH near Youngstown.

There are times when I-480 takes 30 minutes to go from 77 to 271. I avoid that stretch of the road like the plague, especially in the afternoons.

 

I drive that 5 days/week on my commute from Berea to Twinsburg.  Luckily my employer offers flex time, so I can start and leave early enough to miss the worst of the traffic.  I hate my commute, but like the compactness of Berea and its proximity to the metroparks multi-purpose trails and the red line.  It gives me a quality of life I could not have if I lived in the Twinsburg area...

 

You could live in Peninsula and have regular train service to downtown Akron! ;-)

You could live in Peninsula and have regular train service to downtown Akron! ;-)

 

It would be nice... if I worked in Akron

Nah, I'm saying for visiting Akron. You'd still have to drive to work in the 'Burg but at least it wouldn't be as far.

Passenger rail service in Akron could be on track

By Bob Downing

Beacon Journal staff writer

Published: December 9, 2011 - 12:40 AM

 

Could a new public passenger rail line be in the city of Akron’s future?

 

The Akron Metro Regional Transit Authority is embarking on a study to investigate the feasibility of developing rail service from the Merriman Valley to downtown Akron to the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. headquarters to points south.

 

That study, by the engineering firm of New York-based Parsons Brinckerhoff, probably will get under way early next year, said Robert Pfaff, executive director/secretary-treasurer of the Akron-based transit authority.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.ohio.com/news/passenger-rail-service-in-akron-could-be-on-track-1.249536

 

If capital and operating funding is found, this type of vehicle might be perfect for the Akron-Canton region and other potential routes in Ohio....

 

6/5/2012 11:30:00 AM   

 

FRA issues alternative-design vehicle waiver to Denton County Transportation Authority

 

Yesterday, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced it approved the Denton County Transportation Authority’s (DCTA) request to operate Stadler GTW vehicles concurrent with traditional, federally compliant equipment. The waiver means that for the first time, lightweight low-floor vehicles will be permitted to operate in rail corridors concurrently with traditional vehicles, helping to expand commuter-rail options for U.S. transportation authorities, DCTA officials said in a prepared statement.

 

In 2009, the FRA’s Rail Safety Advisory Committee (RSAC) prepared a set of technical criteria and procedures for evaluating passenger train-sets built to alternative designs that enable lighter, more fuel-efficient rail vehicles equipped with a crash energy management system to commingle with traditional equipment. The DCTA/Stadler U.S. Inc. alternative design waiver is the first comprehensive submittal that follows the RSAC Engineering Task Force procedures for Tier I equipment, DCTA officials said.

 

The waiver request “demonstrates that the enhanced crashworthiness and passenger protection systems inherent to DCTA’s new rail vehicles meet the latest and most stringent safety standards in the U.S.,” they said.

 

READ MORE AT:

http://www.progressiverailroading.com/passenger_rail/news/FRA-issues-alternativedesign-vehicle-waiver-to-Denton-County-Transportation-Authority--31230

 

 

They can be operated as diesel-electric (as they do in Austin, TX) or pure electrics (as they do in Europe)....

 

 

I wonder with these trainsets if the CVNP would be ok with weekday service to Cleveland at some point.

There could be not one but two casinos in Summit county. One partially owned by Gilbert if Thistledown moves to Summit county.

  I don't think Gilbert has honestly given much consideration of Summit county to this point. However if he is going to invest in the county now and with a huge investment upcoming in his phase II of the casino downtown, i suspect he will be looking at all transportation methods to make it successful. With the longer window before it opens he may have a chance to do a little maneuvering to help rail. Also, if he knows that the racino could move near a train track that connects Akron and Canton and could also directly connect to his casino in Cleveland, wouldn't that be baller?  I believe he'd throw a few million to help various phases make that a reality.

 

Just heard about this. Sorry for the late notice.......

 

METRO will discuss findings from its recent master planning study (see: http://www.akronmetro.org/Data/Sites/2/Assets/PDF/finalmetrorailfreightsystemstudy(optimized).pdf ) & W. Market/Arlington Rd. transit corridor service needs (includes analysis of Merriman-Goodyear commuter rail).

 

Please stop by the meetings below to share your thoughts or gather info:

 

Tues., July 24: 11a - 12:30p @ Robert K. Pfaff Transit Center; 631 S. Broadway Ave.

Tues., July 24: 6p - 7:30p @ Northwest Akron Branch Library; 1720 Shatto Ave.;

Weds., July 25: 6p - 7:30p @ Goodyear Branch Library; 60 Goodyear Blvd.

 

http://www.akronmetro.org/public-meetings-july-24--25.aspx

This has nothing directly to do with commuter rail.  I'm kind of confused that I thought I saw an article that stated the secondary freedom trail was going to be started in early August through Tallmadge. To me that kind of implies that the metroparks are going to start pulling up the rails for a walking path. Is this one gov dept not know what the other is doing or will there be a walking trail alongside? Here it is:

http://kent.patch.com/articles/groundbreaking-for-trail-linking-kent-tallmadge-set-tuesday

The Board of Park Commissioners for Metro Parks, Serving Summit County will break ground on a new multipurpose trail that will connect Akron and Kent, Tuesday, July 3, at 10 a.m., near the intersection of East Avenue and Erie Road in Tallmadge.

 

The Freedom Trail will follow an unused railroad corridor on land owned by METRO Regional Transit Authority, and construction will take place in three phases. The first phase, which should be completed in December, is 4.2 miles long and runs between Tallmadge Circle and Kent’s Middlebury Road.

The public meetings have everything to do with commuter rail.

 

So does what's happening along the Freedom Secondary. The trail is being built next to the tracks, not in place of them. It was the only way Akron Metro RTA could prevent losing that ROW to nature if nothing else was done to it.

I still think there is confusion. There are 2 separate studies going on for metro. One is evaluating the commuter rail section from the Merriman valley to the Goodyear complex and a half mile either side of that. The other study is what this is, an inventory of Metro-owned rail lines and what can be "fast tracked" to improve the tracks for industry in Summit county.  I don't think the commuter study will be out until closer to the end of the year.  The freight rail is an important basis point to guide Summit county and AMAT.  I guess some improvement to the tracks will give more impetus to using them for passenger rail since there will be less startup costs for passenger rail and additional money for rail improvements from rail revenue that is currently non-existent.

Your last sentence should clear up the confusion.

 

EDIT: so will attendance at one of the public meetings.

I attempted to alter/delete my previous post but my iphone died just as I hit send..  The Metro announcement is incredibly vague and I guess I got confused on the emphasis from KJP and missing the & symbol..  I went over the 140 page document on my iphone being the geek that I am but already had seen most of that..  There was nothing in that study that alluded to the commuter rail which is why I commented. 

 

  To me when I see METRO list 2 streets and suggest it as transit corridor needs, I think bus not train since there has been serious contemplation about a brt type thing going from Goodyear(Arlington-ish) to maybe as far as Summit Mall(W. Market)..

 

Here's the announcement of the meetings in the Akron Beacon Journal, a little more fleshed out.  Sounds like an airing out of ideas to try to get general public feel and feedback.  I suppose they're going to see if people hate the idea of light rail or maybe are indifferent along with other proposals:

Metro RTA seeks to bolster routes

 

By Dave Scott

Beacon Journal staff writer

 

Published: July 22, 2012 - 10:59 PM

Metro RTA says its busiest routes are overcrowded and the bus system is looking for suggestions on ways to deal with it.

 

The routes along Market and Arlington streets average more than 40 people per hour and often are above capacity, with as many as three people for every two seats available.

 

The bus system is paying for a $350,000 study to look at ways to improve service and speed traffic along the key “corridors.”

http://www.ohio.com/news/metro-rta-seeks-to-bolster-routes-1.322027

 

This funding was provided to Akron Metro through the Federal Transit Administration's Alternatives Analysis program. So even though there is interest in providing commuter rail on tracks available in this corridor, Akron Metro must review all options available including the "No build" alternative to show the consequences of inaction. Options could include reorganizing or expanding service on existing bus routes, provision of bus rapid transit on a routing where it could attract the greatest ridership, or the provision of a commuter rail on existing tracks (and maybe even some proposed tracks?).

 

This initial round of meetings is typically held to gather input on what options should be considered. So think of some ideas and bring them to one of those three meetings. If you can't attend, you can still share them with Akron Metro RTA. One of their lead planners is a nice man named Roger Bacon. You can share your ideas with him at: 330-762-7267 or [email protected]

Akron Mayor Don Plusquellic:

"What if two communities could see high speed rail as a link to a future system? An investment in a rail link would connect Akron and Cleveland and and solidly pale us in the future on the route between Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati. People in Cleveland might think Akron is in Ohio and not northern Kentucky if they could get here in about 20 minutes."

 

MORE:

http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2015/03/follow_akron_mayor_don_plusque.html

Mayor Don Plusquellic's Akron to Cleveland high-speed rail idea: What do you think?

By John Harper, Northeast Ohio Media Group

on March 20, 2015 at 5:00 PM, updated March 20, 2015 at 5:40 PM

 

AKRON, Ohio -- Among a slew of futuristic ideas Mayor Don Plusquellic launched at his State of the State speech Friday was a dream sealed shut when Gov. John Kasich took office: high-speed rail.

 

"What if we went around the governor and established a high speed rail line between Cleveland and Akron?" the mayor said. "People in Cleveland might realize that Akron is in Ohio, not northern Kentucky, if they could get here in 20 minutes."

 

Kasich killed a railway that would have linked Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati. The federal government pledged $400 million in stimulus money to help pay for construction, but Kasich wanted none of it.

 

On Friday the Mayor posited a different idea: a line between Cleveland and Akron, and at the very least make it easier to commute between Northeast Ohio's two biggest commercial centers.

 

MORE:

http://www.cleveland.com/akron/index.ssf/2015/03/don_plusquellics_akron_to_clev_1.html

Not sure this is related, but perhaps it is. Metro RTA in their latest board meeting pdf announced that they are seeking to divest themselves of the responsibilty of the rail lines they own.

www.akronmetro.org/metro-board-meetings.aspx

 

Essentially, they feel the tracks they own are not aligned with their purpose of transporting people. They want to perhaps sell the tracks or at least transfer the rights to another entity.

  I think this would be an opportune time for the port authority to step forward.  This is now called the development finance authority. The benefit is this entity sees the bigger picture and a longer term outlook with fairly deep pockets. This could help package the land by these tracks to companies. It could also spur the commuter rail on the tracks they control and help in funding that. 

Not sure this is related, but perhaps it is. Metro RTA in their latest board meeting pdf announced that they are seeking to divest themselves of the responsibilty of the rail lines they own.

www.akronmetro.org/metro-board-meetings.aspx

 

Essentially, they feel the tracks they own are not aligned with their purpose of transporting people. They want to perhaps sell the tracks or at least transfer the rights to another entity.

  I think this would be an opportune time for the port authority to step forward.  This is now called the development finance authority. The benefit is this entity sees the bigger picture and a longer term outlook with fairly deep pockets. This could help package the land by these tracks to companies. It could also spur the commuter rail on the tracks they control and help in funding that. 

 

Akron Metro RTA has to go through an immense amount of compliance paperwork and due process required by the Federal Transit Administration before it can do anything with its rail lines -- including working with freight carriers to serve online shippers. Metro has to prove to the FTA (and its board) how any new activity involving its rail assets will benefit moving people. And there are persons on Metro's board who don't want Metro to have anything to do with rail. The freight railroads also want Metro to divest of its rail lines. They are used to moving more swiftly than Metro can respond, so having Metro sell its rail lines is a very good thing for freight railroads.

 

But it has nothing to with Mayor P's announcement at his SOC address, which was the first that anyone at Metro had heard of the mayor's interest in linking Akron and Cleveland with HSR.

Updating this thread with recently posted old data (how's that for confusing?).....

 

The summary of the 2002 NEOrail commuter rail study is at:

http://freepdfhosting.com/9207e94716.pdf

 

Other reports and studies of Ohio transit are at:

http://allaboardohio.org/transportation-planning-library/localregional-transit-planning-documents/

 

While Lorain-Cleveland and Aurora-Cleveland, at most Levels of Service, had lower ridership projections as separate routes than Cleveland-Akron, a combined Lorain-Aurora route was higher and had a greater chance of winning federal funds.

I realize its very early, but is there any renewed discussion around an Akron rail system resulting from the infrastructure bill?

None.

On 9/24/2018 at 2:37 PM, KJP said:

Updating this thread with recently posted old data (how's that for confusing?).....

 

The summary of the 2002 NEOrail commuter rail study is at:

http://freepdfhosting.com/9207e94716.pdf

 

Other reports and studies of Ohio transit are at:

http://allaboardohio.org/transportation-planning-library/localregional-transit-planning-documents/

 

While Lorain-Cleveland and Aurora-Cleveland, at most Levels of Service, had lower ridership projections as separate routes than Cleveland-Akron, a combined Lorain-Aurora route was higher and had a greater chance of winning federal funds.

Ken, that second link gives me a 404 / page not found error. Does it work for you?

1 hour ago, Boomerang_Brian said:

Ken, that second link gives me a 404 / page not found error. Does it work for you?

 

Yes, the link still works for me.

 

On 9/24/2018 at 2:37 PM, KJP said:

Updating this thread with recently posted old data (how's that for confusing?).....

 

The summary of the 2002 NEOrail commuter rail study is at:

http://freepdfhosting.com/9207e94716.pdf

 

Other reports and studies of Ohio transit are at:

http://allaboardohio.org/transportation-planning-library/localregional-transit-planning-documents/

 

While Lorain-Cleveland and Aurora-Cleveland, at most Levels of Service, had lower ridership projections as separate routes than Cleveland-Akron, a combined Lorain-Aurora route was higher and had a greater chance of winning federal funds.

 

5 hours ago, Boomerang_Brian said:

Ken, that second link gives me a 404 / page not found error. Does it work for you?

 

4 hours ago, KJP said:

 

Yes, the link still works for me.

 

Hmm - for me it goes to the AAO webpage, but the frame where the reports should be has the Error 404! / Not Found.  (I've tried iphone, ipad, and two different browsers on my PC.)  Anyway, I can't seem to find the detailed NEO Commuter Rail study from the early 2000s.  The file in the link above is an Appendix on Ridership and Costs.  I remember reading the more detailed complete report - either you posted it, or I found it on the AAO planning library which isn't working for me now.

 

Would you please post a link to the complete NEO Commuter Rail study?

 

Also, does Akron Metro RTA still own the rail RoW?  What all does it own? Hudson - Akron - CAK - Canton, plus the other line from Akron out to Kent?

 

Nothing has changed in ROW ownership in Summit county.  There supposedly an effort underway to add a station in the Merriman valley by the CVSR.  I don’t know the timeframe of that as there has been no new info in probably 2 years. 

11 hours ago, audidave said:

Nothing has changed in ROW ownership in Summit county.  There supposedly an effort underway to add a station in the Merriman valley by the CVSR.  I don’t know the timeframe of that as there has been no new info in probably 2 years. 

 

Perhaps the master plan for Merriman Valley being undertaken jointly by Cuyahoga Falls and the City of Akron will touch on this even if independently of any progress being made? That plan is expected to start this month and not intended to wrap up until early 2022.

 

According to the Beacon Journal's reporting:

 

Quote

Cuyahoga Falls Community Development Director Diana Colavecchio said the joint venture between the cities will promote sustainable development, ecotourism and build on the recreational opportunities that are already available.

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park, the Cuyahoga River and the Towpath Trail are part of the area that will be examined in the development of the master plan.

 

https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/2021/03/23/cuyahoga-falls-akron-teaming-up-merriman-valley-master-plan/6958361002/

Replicating this from NFL HOF Village thread as it would be important to this rail line to connect to CAK. 

 

This article surprised me as i saw it in the Beacon reprinted from the Canton Repository.  

 

https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/2021/07/04/officials-explore-hofx-rail-tie-between-hall-fame-downtown-canton/7785442002/

 

They want to study adding a streetcar system with the initial basis being the current Metro tracks by CAK that end at Tuscarawas st.  They would add a stop by the NFL HOF which makes sense.  They might also add a stop near the McKinley memorial. 

 

The article doesn’t explain how the streetcar would connect with the airport. 

 

Then they want to create new track that runs by Stark State on West 3rd  parallel to Tuscarawas and finishing by SARTA’s bus transportation hub at Cherry avenue on the outskirts of downtown. 

I would think they would want to get closer to their brand new millennial park or whatever its called in the heart of downtown if this is to try to link the NFL village to downtown. 

  

 If they can get the NFL and federal government to mainly pay for a rail connection from CAK to the Metro rail line that would be a big lift for Akron as well. 

Can someone post a rough map of what they propose to link?