Continuing Good News for Transportation in Ohio

Repost from an email I received: 

www.linkingohio.com

 

 

Dear Linking Ohio Supporters -

It was a big step in the right direction for Ohio this week as the Controlling Board approved ODOT's request to move forward with a $25-million allocation of the $400-million Federal grant to begin engineering, environmental and design studies around intercity rail.  We are certainly pleased that progress will be made.  Here are a couple of articles about the approval:

• Cleveland Plain Dealer: State controlling board approves first step in 3C rail project in contentious party-line vote
• Cincinnati Enquirer: 3C rail plan clears first hurdle
• Dayton Daily News: Board OKs $25M for passenger rail study

Other items of interest:

 

3C Fiscal Impact Study

All Aboard Ohio released a report examining the 3C's Fiscal Impact on the State of Ohio.  It's an interesting study that shows how intercity rail will help Ohio's economy.

"This report will provide the assessment to learn how the annual, total financial benefits that are received by The State of Ohio measure up to the potential annual operating cost that the state could be expected to fund. The answer should allow Ohioans to better understand the net fiscal impact of 3C “Quick Start” on the state’s budget. In short, this report shows the State of Ohio could see a positive net fiscal impact: an increase in annual revenues greater than the projected increase in annual costs."

ODOT TRAC

And lastly, an important step that ODOT employs for any large scale transportation project is to accept public comments about their projects.  This is called their TRAC Funding Process, and the 3C "Quick Start" Project is on the list for wanting public comment.  Linking Ohio is encouraging all of our supports to visit the TRAC site to leave a comment in support of the project.  Comments are being accepted through May 3, 2010.

Thank you all for your continued support.  It is still important for supporters of the 3C "Quick Start" Project to persuade state legislators.  So if you have not done so, please visit Linking Ohio to use our "Speak Out" tool to send state leaders an email.

And don't forget to join our Facebook fan page and follow us on Twitter to stay up to date on developments around 3C "Quick Start" Project.

Please feel free to forward this email on to others that may be supportive of our cause.

Thank you.