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Home > Blogs > Ohio politics > Archives > 2009 > April > 16 > Entry
High-speed rail in Ohio: “Three-C” closer to reality
President Barack Obama Thursday announced a plan to use $8 billion in stimulus money and another $5 billion over five years to boost high-speed rail in the United States.
That could be good news for proponents of the so-called “Three-C” corridor, a route between Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati.
In making his announcement, Obama said that the first grants for high-speed projects and upgrades to existing high-speed rail could be awarded as soon as this summer. He identified 10 routes, including a “Chicago Hub” that included Chicago, Milwaukee and a handful of other midwestern cities including Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati.
That announcement was great news to Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, who is among the backers of the “Three-C” route.
“Passenger rail service would create jobs and economic growth at a time when our state needs both,” he said.
His office reports that expanding passenger rail service in Ohio could ultimately create 16,700 permanent jobs, in addition to tens of thousands of construction jobs and generate more than $3 billion in development near stations.
The Federal Railroad Administration has already designated the “Three-C” and a route from Cleveland to Toledo as High-Speed Rail Corridors. The current proposal would use 260 miles of existing track to reach 5.9 million Ohioans, almost 60 percent of the state’s population.
Brown Wednesday sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood urging him to devote federal stimulus funds toward passenger rail service in Ohio. Brown urged LaHood to allocate at least $1 billion in economic recovery funds for designated high-speed rail corridors, like the “3C” corridor, that do not currently have passenger rail service.
What do you think of the idea?
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Comments
By Scott
May 19, 2009 11:28 AM | Link to this
The RTA is not a waste in Cleveland. I used it for 2 years while my license was suspended and it got me to work reliably for a fair price. While used it I found that in any given city that a much larger portion than I thought relies on this to get to Doctor’s appointments, school, work, and leisure events. I’m not a liberal but I think the RTA is awesome. It makes economic sense in every way.By B. J D
April 20, 2009 12:00 PM | Link to this
By all mean we shall have train traveling thur ohio going to columbus to cincinnati it think it nice outing for family want to go shopping or do some nice to get out townBy What
April 19, 2009 12:01 AM | Link to this
Who are going to be riding these trains in order to pay for them? Let’s say that I live in Bellbrook and I got a job in suburban Columbus. I would have to drive my car to a station (presumably downtown Dayton) and take a train to downtown Columbus, then get a taxi to drive me 10+ miles to my destination. Very Expensive! If these rail systems were such a good idea then corporations would have already invested in them years ago. Europe is not a good example - we have much more sprawl then they do.By Stephen Bickford
April 18, 2009 12:38 PM | Link to this
We have almost spent a trillion dollars on wars of imperialism. Finally we have found some money for infrastructure. Isn’t progress just amazingBy CC
April 17, 2009 11:40 PM | Link to this
Ohio was alawys in a time warp where innovation was regarded as something less than evil and wasteful. But I’ve lived all along the east coast and internationally and love the trains- quick, efficient and less hassle than driving.we are so far behind europe and Asia transportation wise, it’s sad.Time for us to get ahead of the others and stop whining and moaning about money. After all, you can’t take it with you.By brunnegd
April 17, 2009 11:13 AM | Link to this
There are several cost factors to consider: drive personal car at xx cents per mile, vs. ticket, station parking, auto rental at destination, etc. Plus the time issues: Train schedules, wait times, vs car travel time.By Philman
April 17, 2009 7:43 AM | Link to this
It will be a huge WASTE of taxpayers money just like RTA is.all to make a few liberals FEEL GOOD about themselves. how are the masses going to get to there final destination, if there job is 5,10,or 15 miles from train station, nothing like spending 6 hour travel time to work 8.By really?
April 17, 2009 12:48 AM | Link to this
While I’ll agree that Bush was a disaster, I would like to point out that he is gone. Time to move on. Your comment comparing the evils of the Bush administration and high speed rail is nonsense.By ben
April 16, 2009 11:59 PM | Link to this
Last I looked at this proposal the tickets were still too expensive for me. I will gladly ride the train to Cleveland if its comparable or cheaper than driving.By td
April 16, 2009 6:21 PM | Link to this
Good job. It’s about time that we have high speed rail. Perhaps the neocons think we should continue lie based wars, torture of human beings and elimination of civil liberties. But, logic in the long run will win out. With high speed mass transit, the state will begin to see the 21st century. Jobs and commerce. Good stuff. Better than the evils of the Bush administration.