Public Meetings on Proposed WestShore Corridor Transportation Project Plan

GREATER CLEVELAND – In the near future, residents, regional visitors and commuter could have safe, convenient new options for travel between major points in Erie, Lorain and Cuyahoga Counties including commuter bus and rail, according to planners on the WestShore Transportation Project. However, new local funding sources must be identified, further studies undertaken, and railroad and intercounty agreements inked before a major new service like commuter rail service is ready to operate.

On behalf of project co-sponsors Lorain County Board of Commissioners/Lorain County Transit and Lorain County Community Alliance, the WestShore Commuter Rail Task Force and communities in Lorain County, Erie County and Cuyahoga County, will hold three public meetings to present study findings to-date for recommended travel options, costs, benefits and funding/financing for the WestShore Corridor.  Public comments are needed in order to finalize the proposed package of options designed to improve longer-distance public transit service between the WestShore counties of Erie, Lorain and Cuyahoga.

The public is invited and encouraged to attend one or more of the following meetings:

Cuyahoga County—October 24, 2011               
Lakewood City Hall                                   
Auditorium                                               
12650 Detroit Avenue                               
Lakewood, OH 44107                               
6-8 pm                                                   

Lorain County—October 26, 2011
Black River Landing
421 Black River Lane
Lorain, OH 44052
6-8 pm

Erie County -- October 25, 2011
Erie County Administration Building
3rd Floor Commissioner’s Chambers
2900 Columbus Avenue
Sandusky, OH 44870
6-8 pm


For more information, please contact Tim Rosenberger, PB at 216-832-2952, Nancy Lyon Stadler, Michael Baker, Jr., Inc. at 216-776-6814 or Marissa Beechuk, BrownFlynn at
440-484-0100, ext.211.

****************************************************************************************************************

WESTSHORE CORRIDOR TRANSPORTATION STUDY BACKGROUND

The WestShore Corridor Transportation Project (WCTP) seeks to address the lack of public transportation options for travel in the WestShore Corridor, which extends from downtown Cleveland through western Cuyahoga, Lorain, and Erie Counties to Sandusky. The need for improvements is based on several factors including a lack of public transit options for inter-county travel, lack of transit options within Lorain and Erie Counties, and the need for more sustainable land use patterns in suburban growth areas.

While the development of commuter rail service along the Norfolk Southern (former Nickel Plate) rail line that passes through Lakewood, Bay Village and much of northern Lorain County has been the goal for many citizens and political leaders in the WestShore Corridor, the analysis conducted for the WCTP indicates that a transit market must first be established within the WestShore Corridor before commuter rail can become a reality. Currently, commuter bus services to downtown Cleveland operate from Medina, Summit, Portage and Lake counties. Lorain County is the most populous county surrounding Cleveland that does not have bus service to downtown Cleveland. The WCTP suggests that an inter-county transit market could be established in several phases.

In Phase 1, during the next five years, would include implementation of commuter bus service between Lorain County and downtown Cleveland.  The proposed service would include basic commuter bus service between the city of Lorain and downtown Cleveland with stops at Black River Landing, Midway Mall, and two new park and ride lots located in Sheffield and Avon. In this phase, Lorain County Transit would be restored to its pre-2009 service levels to distribute passengers throughout Lorain County. 

Implementing this service would cost approximately $11 million per year in buying buses and outfitting park-and-ride lots in Lorain County. The annual estimated annual operating cost of Phase 1 is $8.3 million. While commuter bus service is made operational, work would continue on the analysis of the benefits and environmental impacts of the commuter rail service to allow for that service to be developed in the future. Discussions with the Norfolk-Southern Railroad about use of their rail line for commuter rail service began as part of the West Shore study, and would continue through the first phase of development. 

In Phase 2 (Years 6-10), commuter bus service in Lorain County would expand, and commuter bus service between Erie County and downtown Cleveland would begin. In this phase two new bus routes would be started to supplmenet the route operating between Lorain and downtown Cleveland. One new route would operate between Sheffield and downtown Cleveland, with one park and ride lot located in Sheffield and two in Avon. A third commuter bus route would begin providing service between Sandusky and downtown Cleveland, with stops at park and ride facilities located in Sandusky, Huron, and Vermilion. 

The estimated cost of this second phase of service would be about $16 million for additional buses and park and ride lot, and about $10 million in additional annual operating cost. 

Also in this phase, regional transit officials would complete the analysis of commuter rail service and reach an agreement with the Norfolk Southern railroad regarding use of their rail line, and would begin the design of improvements to the rail line, stations and other infrastructure needed to operate commuter rail service.

WESTSHORE CORRIDOR TRANSPORTATION STUDY BACKGROUND - Continued

Page 2

In Phase 3 (Years 10-15), commuter rail service would begin operation and would replace some or all of the commuter bus services in Lorain County, and would perhaps replace some bus services in Cuyahoga County.  The commuter rail service would operate between Black River Landing in Lorain and downtown Cleveland. Stations would be located in Lorain, Sheffield, Avon, Westlake, Bay Village, Rocky River, Lakewood and Cleveland. It is hoped that many of the park and ride facilities developed in the first two phases of the project would now function as park and ride lots at the commuter rail stations. Commuter bus service would continue to be operated between Sandusky and Cleveland as in Phase 2. Extension of commuter rail service to Sandusky and other Erie County locations would be re-examined as a possibility for the future.

The WestShore Study has estimated that it would cost nearly $160 million in improvements to the Norfolk Southern rail line and associated stations and park-and-ride lots, and in purchasing new rail cars and other equipment, to operate a startup commuter rail service.  The estimated annual cost of operating the commuter rail and commuter bus services in Phase 3 is approximately $17 million.

There are many challenges to developing intercounty transit service in the WestShore corridor. The most important of these is the establishment of a sustainable funding source to support the service. Currently, Lorain and Erie Counties lack a secure dedicated funding source for mass transit service to match the 1% county wide sales tax that supports the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (GCRTA) in Cuyahoga County. A source for those county’s portions of the cost of operating the service would be necessary to allow service to be operated. Identifying a potential operator of the commuter bus and rail service-whether it be Lorain County Transit (LCT), GCRTA, Erie County Transit, some combination of those agencies, or a new agency, is another issue that must be resolved before operation can begin. The high cost of commuter rail may be beyond the funding capacity of the region at this time, but the phased approach may allow for the more fiscally manageable commuter bus service to begin operating while the region works toward the goal of developing commuter rail.  

The budget for this phase of the WestShore Corridor Transportation Project is $423,000 and was managed by Lorain County.  Funds for 80% of this budget came from a Federal appropriation secured by Congresswoman Betty Sutton in 2008.  The remaining 20% of the project budget was contributed by local sources including the private sector, municipalities, transit authorities and government agencies from all three project area counties. Representatives from the Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA), GCRTA, ODOT, Lorain County Transit and other organizations helped in manage the project via the WestShore Corridor Commuter Rail Task Force. 

Public comments will be accepted through November 2, 2011 at WestshoreAA@pbworld.com.

Readmore: http://www.urbanohio.com/forum2/index.php/topic,1916.msg582347/topicseen.html#new#ixzz1b62j9IAW

Not Ohio: 2 Billion for High-Speed Intercity Rail Projects

Although understandable, it is still sad to not see Ohio anywhere on this list. 

DOT 57-11
Monday May 9, 2011
Contact:  Brie Sachse
Tel:  202-366-4570

U.S. Transportation Secretary LaHood Announces $2 Billion for High-Speed Intercity Rail Projects to Grow Jobs, Boost U.S. Manufacturing and Transform Travel in America

Unprecedented Investment in the Northeast Corridor, Expanded Service in the Midwest and New, State-of-the-Art Rail Equipment Top List of Rail Dollar Recipients

WASHINGTON – U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood today announced $2 billion in high-speed rail awards providing an unprecedented investment to speed up trains in the Northeast Corridor, expand service in the Midwest and provide new, state-of-the-art locomotives and rail cars as part of the Administration’s plan to transform travel in America.

Twenty-four states, the District of Columbia and Amtrak submitted nearly 100 applications, competing to be part of an historic investment that will create tens of thousands of jobs, improve mobility and stimulate American manufacturing.

"Earlier this year, President Obama and I made a commitment to improve and expand America's transportation system, including the development of a modern, national high-speed rail network," said Vice President Biden. "And today, we’re announcing investments that will continue our progress toward making this vision a reality.  These projects will put thousands of Americans to work, save hundreds of thousands of hours for American travelers every year, and boost U.S. manufacturing by investing hundreds of millions of dollars in next-generation, American-made locomotives and railcars."

“President Obama and Vice President Biden’s vision for a national rail system will help ensure America is equipped to win the future with the fastest, safest and most efficient transportation network in the world,” said Secretary LaHood.   “The investments we’re making today will help states across the country create jobs, spur economic development and boost manufacturing in their communities.”

Broadcast quality video and audio of Secretary LaHood discussing today's high-speed rail announcement is available for download via the following links:

Video: https://dotmediacenter.onehub.com/d/j1vz/

Audio: https://dotmediacenter.onehub.com/d/977o/

The Department’s Federal Railroad Administration selected 15 states and Amtrak to receive $2.02 billion for 22 high-speed intercity passenger rail projects as part of a nationwide network that will connect 80 percent of Americans to high-speed rail in 25 years. The dedicated rail dollars will:

·         Make an unprecedented investment in the Northeast Corridor (NEC), with $795 million to upgrade some of the most heavily-used sections of the corridor.  The investments will increase speeds from 135 to 160 miles per hour on critical segments, improve on-time performance and add more seats for passengers. 

·         Provide $404.1 million to expand high-speed rail service in the Midwest.  Newly constructed segments of 110-mph track between Detroit and Chicago will save passengers 30 minutes in travel time and create nearly 1,000 new jobs in the construction phase. Upgrades to the Chicago to St. Louis corridor will shave time off the trip, enhance safety and improve ridership. 

·         Boost U.S. manufacturing through a $336.2 million investment in state-of-the-art locomotives and rail cars for California and the Midwest.  “Next Generation” rail equipment will deliver safe, reliable and high-tech American-built vehicles for passenger travel.

·         Continue laying the groundwork for the nation’s first 220-mph high-speed rail system in California through a $300 million investment, extending the current 110 mile segment an additional 20 miles to advance completion of the Central Valley project, the backbone of the Los Angeles to San Francisco corridor.     

Nearly 100 percent of the $2.02 billion announced today will go directly to construction of rail projects, bringing expanded and improved high-speed intercity passenger rail service to cities in all parts of the country.  Thirty-two states across the U.S. and the District of Columbia are currently laying the foundation for high-speed rail corridors to link Americans with faster and more energy-efficient travel options. 

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and annual appropriations have, to date, provided $10.1 billion to put America on track towards providing rail access to new communities and improving the reliability, speed and frequency of existing lines.  Of that, approximately $5.8 billion dollars has already been obligated for rail projects.

A strict “Buy America” requirement for high-speed rail projects ensures that U.S. manufacturers and workers will receive the maximum economic benefits from this federal investment. In 2009, Secretary LaHood secured a commitment from 30 foreign and domestic rail manufacturers to employ American workers and locate or expand their base of operations in the U.S. if they are selected for high-speed-rail contracts.

Rail project highlights include:

NORTHEAST CORRIDOR (NEC)

Amtrak – NEC Power, Signal, Track, Catenary Improvements – $450 million to boost capacity, reliability, and speed in one of the most heavily-traveled sections of the Northeast Corridor, creating a 24-mile segment of track capable of supporting train speeds up to 160-mph.   

Maryland – NEC Bridge Replacement – $22 million for engineering and environmental work to replace the century-old Susquehanna River Bridge, which currently causes frequent delays for commuters due to the high volume of critical maintenance.      

New York – NEC Harold Interlocking Amtrak Bypass Routes – $295 million to alleviate major delays for trains coming in and out of Manhattan with new routes that allow Amtrak trains to bypass the busiest passenger rail junction in the nation. 

Rhode Island – NEC Kingston Track, Platform Improvements – $25 million for design and construction of an additional 1.5 miles of third track in Kingston, RI, so high-speed trains operating at speeds up to 150-mph can pass trains on a high-volume section of the Northeast Corridor.

Rhode Island – NEC Providence Station Improvements – $3 million for preliminary engineering and environmental work to renovate the Providence Station.  These upgrades will enhance the passenger experience, keep the station in good working order and improve transit and pedestrian connectivity.   

NORTHEASTERN REGION

Connecticut – New Haven to Springfield Track Construction – $30 million to complete double-track segments on the corridor, bringing added intercity rail service to a route that plays an important role in the region, connecting communities in Connecticut and Massachusetts to the NEC, as well as Vermont.

  Massachusetts/Maine – Downeaster Track Improvements – $20.8 million to construct a 10.4-mile section of double track between Wilmington and Andover, MA.  Track upgrades will increase schedule performance and dependability for passengers traveling on the Northern New England Downeaster corridor.   

New York – Empire Corridor Capacity Improvements – $58 million to construct upgrades to tracks, stations and signals, improving rail operations along the Empire Corridor.  This includes replacement of the Schenectady Station and construction of a fourth station track at the Albany - Rensselaer Station, one of the corridor’s most significant bottlenecks.   

New York – Rochester Station and Track Improvements – $1.4 million for a preliminary engineering and environmental analysis for a new Rochester Intermodal Station on the Empire Corridor, connecting passengers with additional transit and pedestrian options.   

   

Pennsylvania – Keystone Corridor Interlocking Improvements – $40 million to rebuild an interlocking near Harrisburg on the Keystone Corridor, saving travelers time and improving passenger train schedule reliability. 

REGIONAL EQUIPMENT POOLS

Next Generation Passenger Rail Equipment Purchase – This state-of-the-art rail equipment will provide safe and reliable American-built vehicles for passenger travel, while boosting the U.S. manufacturing industry. 

·         Midwest Corridors – $268.2 million to purchase 48 high-performance passenger rail cars and 7 quick-acceleration locomotives for 8 corridors in the Midwestern States: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Missouri.

·         California Corridors – $68 million to acquire 15 high-performance passenger rail cars and 4 quick-acceleration locomotives for the Pacific Surfliner, San Joaquin, and Capitol Corridors in California. 

MIDWESTERN REGION

Illinois – Chicago - St. Louis Corridor – $186.3 million to construct upgrades on the Chicago - St. Louis Corridor between Dwight and Joliet, IL with trains operating at 110 mph for more than 220 miles of track.  This investment will reduce trip times, enhance safety and add more seats on the corridor, increasing the number of people who can conveniently travel by train. 

Michigan – Kalamazoo-Dearborn Service Development – $196.5 million to rehabilitate track and signal systems, bringing trains up to speeds of 110 mph on a 235-mile section of the Chicago to Detroit corridor, reducing trip times by 30 minutes.      

  

Michigan – Ann Arbor Station Project – $2.8 million for an engineering and environmental analysis to construct a new high-speed rail station in Ann Arbor, MI, that will better serve passengers and allow more than one train to serve the station simultaneously.

Minnesota – Northern Lights Express – $5 million to complete engineering and environmental work for establishing the Northern Lights Express – a high-speed intercity passenger service – connecting Minneapolis to Duluth, with 110-mph high-speed rail service.  

Missouri – Merchant’s Bridge Replacement – $13.5 million to advance the design of a new bridge over the Mississippi River on the Chicago to St. Louis Corridor, replacing a bridge built in the 1890s.   

SOUTHERN REGION

North Carolina – Charlotte to Richmond Service Enhancement – $4 million for environmental analysis on the Richmond to Raleigh section of the Southeast High Speed Rail Corridor (SEHSR).  This advances the goal of extending high-speed rail service on the NEC into the southeast, with 110-mph capable service.   

  
Texas – Dallas/Fort Worth to Houston Core Express Service – $15 million for engineering and environmental work to develop a high-speed rail corridor linking two of the largest metro areas in the U.S., Dallas/Fort Worth to Houston. 

CALIFORNIA AND NORTHWEST REGION

California – Central Valley Construction Project Extension – $300 million for a 20-mile extension along the Central Valley Corridor.  This will continue to advance one of the highest priority projects in the nation that will ultimately provide 220 mph high-speed rail service from Los Angeles to San Francisco.    The work funded in this round will extend the track and civil work from Fresno to the “Wye” junction, which will provide a connection to San Jose to the West and Merced to the North.     

Oregon – Eugene Station Stub Tracks – $1.5 million for analysis of overnight parking tracks for passenger trains on the southern end of the Pacific Northwest Corridor, adding new capacity for increased passenger and freight rail service.   

Washington – Port of Vancouver Grade Separation – $15 million to eliminate a congested intersection and bottleneck between freight and passenger tracks.  By elevating one set of tracks over the other, travel along the Pacific Northwest Rail Corridor will experience reduced delays and passenger trains will not have to wait for crossing freight traffic.

# # #

Are Japanese bullet trains coming to the US?

Repost from USDoT:

Riding the rails in Japan, China

Are Japanese bullet trains coming to the US? This is a question I've seen being asked more than once in themedia this week.

Now, to be fair, I may have started this buzz by riding a couple of Japan's lightning fast trains while visiting that country earlier in the week. And I have to say, those trains are fast. Very fast.

I'm also looking forward to riding to the Shanghai airport later today on China's maglev train.

My short answer to the question? No, Japanese and Chinese trains are not coming to the US.

BUT, Japanese and Chinese high-speed rail technology and expertise may be on its way. And, when an American high-speed rail system is up and running--thanks to President Obama's initial $8 billion down-payment and future rail grants authorized by Congress--those familiar with Japan's Shinkansen or Spain's AVE or Germany's ICE or Russia's Sapsan may find similar designs and components.

I think that makes sense. After all, rail companies in Asia and Europe have high-speed experience that American rail companies just haven't had yet. Do I look forward to the day when American companies have that experience? You bet.

In the meantime, if we do end up benefiting from foreign expertise, whether it's Japanese or Chinese or Canadian or European, another thing you can bet on is those trains and their components will be made by skilled American workers.

How do I know this? Because last December we received assurances from over 30 companies in the rail business that high-speed rail will contribute to US rail manufacturing should they be awarded contracts.

The Japanese media sure was interested in what I thought of my high speed train ride

Sure, those of us who saw the Japanese trains are impressed with the railroad system in Japan. And we do look forward to opportunities to partner in America with experienced rail companies from abroad. But we're only interested in partnerships that use American workers in American facilities.

I have now ridden several of the world's fastest trains, and I have seen how effectively they deliver passengers from city to city. And I am looking forward to the day when we secure those partnerships and create those jobs and revitalize an American rail manufacturing industry. And build those trains.

Posted at 07:39 AM | Permalink

White Paper: "Do You Need To Build New Tracks For Ohio To Operate Passenger Rail Service At 110-MPH?"

From Linkingohio.com:

Do You Need To Build New Tracks For Ohio To Operate

Passenger Rail Service At 110-MPH?

There has been a lot mentioned in the media recently about the speed of Ohio’s passenger rail service. Most recently, there has been some confusion over whether Ohio would need to build new tracks to achieve service at 110-MPH. The current plan is to roll-out passenger rail service along the Cincinnati-Dayton-Columbus-Cleveland at speeds of 79-MPH. The simple answer to the question about whether new tracks would be necessary for achieving speeds of 110-MPH is "no."

Too much emphasis has been placed on maximum speeds. Experience with other new start passenger rail services show that improved reliability, frequent service, convenience and service amenities are also important factors in attracting riders.(1)

The 3C “Quick Start” Project has consistently been communicated as a first step to bringing high-speed passenger rail to our state. In order to quickly offer this travel option to 6.8-million Ohioans living along the 3C corridor, Ohio can implement speeds at 79-MPH by making some initial upgrades to the existing tracks now being used solely for freight transportation.

The 3C “Quick Start” Project calls for upgrades to freight bottleneck areas, rail signaling and improvements in safety at grade crossings. By making these upgrades, as well as preparing the corridor for the typical passenger rail amenities (i.e. stations, parking, last-mile transportation options, etc.), Ohio can start offering passenger rail service as early as 2012. 

Once the initial service is up and running at 79-MPH, the state will begin implementing additional corridor upgrades to achieve 110-MPH using the existing track infrastructure. However, there are steps and negotiations with freight railroads that will need to be navigated in order to increase speeds. 

Freight railroads routinely allow passenger trains to operate at speeds up to 90-MPH on their existing tracks with some negotiations needed.(2) However, some freight railroads (particularly NS and CSXT which own the majority of Ohio’s freight system) require that passenger rail service that operates at speeds greater than 90-MPH within their corridor be operated on separate, dedicated tracks. This is why freight railroads have cited this point in the MOU’s submitted as part of their support of the Ohio passenger rail application submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) by ODOT/ORDC. However, to lift this freight railroad policy statement out of context as a blanket prohibition against allowing 110 mph speeds on their tracks is inappropriate, belies experiences in other states, ignores the negotiations that are part of Phase 2 planning, and federal law. 

Section 24308 of Title 49 of the United States Code provides that if a rail carrier refuses to allow accelerated speeds on their tracks by trains operated by or for Amtrak, Amtrak may apply to the U.S. Surface Transportation Board for an order requiring the carrier to allow the accelerated speeds.(3) The Surface Transportation Board is charged with determining whether the accelerated speeds are safe or unsafe and which improvements would be required to make accelerated speeds safe and practicable. 

After an opportunity for a hearing on the matter, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) may establish the maximum allowable speeds of Amtrak trains on terms the STB decides are reasonable.

To allow for either outcome – whether or not the freight railroads and STB agree to allow Ohio to operate 110 mph passenger service on existing freight railroads – ODOT/ORDC needs to plan for the inevitability of having dedicated tracks at 110-MPH. To pre-judge the outcome of freight negotiations or a decision by the STB is premature and such questions will not be visited or even raised until Phase 2 negotiations are completed for 3C. It is possible that the 3C rail route could eventually use a combination of existing, upgraded freight tracks and new track dedicated to passenger rail service based only on the outcome of these negotiations and hearings. 

A scenario where new tracks would be required is when Ohio makes the decision to implement speeds up to 125- MPH. The current state-of-the-art rail technology would permit diesel trains to operate up to 125-MPH, but would require separate tracks and sealed corridors. To go beyond 125-MPH, service would have to electrify and might as well be built on a separate railroad. Speeds of 250 mph make more sense for origins and destinations 4 separated by at least 200 miles to allow for maximum operation of the train.(4) Because of the short travel distances between Ohio’s major population centers, trains would not have enough time or distance to reach full travel speed before they would have to slow down again.

Ohio’s rail corridors are consistent with the goals outline for Regional High Speed Rail in the US Department of Transportation’s “Vision for High-Speed Rail in America,” which focuses service on population centers 100-500 miles apart, with speeds in the 110-150 mph range.

With additional upgrades to improve signalization and grade-crossing protections, and with deliberate negotiations with the freight lines and the STB, Ohio may be able to use existing tracks for speeds up to 110 mph. Ohio’s 3C “Quick Start” approach is prudent and fiscally conservative, and is encouraged by the FRA and Congress, 5 following best practices of rail systems throughout the U.S. and the world.(5) Starting a passenger rail line at 79-MPH and taking an incremental approach to higher speeds is a typical strategy in high-speed rail development. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(1)Key US examples are the increase in service frequency and reliability seen on the Capitol Corridor between Sacramento and San Jose, as well as the Keystone service between Philadelphia and Harrisburg, and the Pacific Surfliner between San Luis Obispo and San Diego. Each route has seen a combination of frequency increases, travel time reductions, reliability improvement and targeted increase in top speed. 

(2)Burlington Northern Santa Fe allows 90mph speeds over portions of its track in Kansas and Colorado (operated over by the Southwest Chief), as do the owners of the San Diego-Los Angeles corridor operated over by Metrolink and the Pacific Surfliner service. Freight railroads operate on the same Northeast Corridor tracks where Amtrak operates 150 mph (Same track). NS operates on Amtrak owned tracks in Michigan where the passenger trains operate at 95 mph today and will increase to 110 mph later this year. (Same track) BNSF owns the tracks that the Amtrak Southwest Chief operates on at 90 mph. Same tracks on NEC, Michigan and New York where Amtrak owns the track.

(3)http://uscode.house.gov/search/criteria.shtml. See Title 49 Section 24308, and reference subsection (d) on Accelerated Transportation. Also, see CSXT and NS comments on the Richland/Hampton Roads Draft Environmental Impact Statement, 2010.

(4)Japan’s “bullet trains,” operating at speeds up to 186-mph, generally reserve their highest speeds for trains operating at least 200 miles between station stops (such as suburban Tokyo and Nagoya). China, which recently introduced 217-mph service between Wuhan and Guangzhou operates most service nearly 600 miles without stopping. Western Europe, Korea, and Taiwan all have services operating at speeds of at least 186-mph combined with “local” trains that operate at lower, conventional speeds. 

(5)See the commercial feasibility study published by the US DOT in September 1997: “High-Speed Ground Transportation for America."

Ensuring Ohio’s Relevance to National Economic Development 

www.linkingohio.com 

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.

Governor, Labor Secretary Solis Announce $400 Million from Recovery Act for Passenger Rail in Ohio

For Imediate Release:

Contact:
Amanda Wurst (Gov’s Office)
614 644-0957 / 614 832-7512
Amanda.Wurst@governor.ohio.gov

Scott Varner (ODOT)
614 644-8640 / 614 202-3562
Scott.Varner@dot.state.oh.us

Governor, Labor Secretary Solis Announce $400 Million from Recovery Act for Passenger Rail in Ohio

State, Local Leaders and Rail Supporters from Across Ohio Join in Columbus to 

Celebrate at the Statehouse

Columbus, Ohio – Ohio Governor Ted Strickland joined U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, state and local officials, and rail supporters from across the state to announce today that Ohio has received $400 million in federal stimulus resources to invest in passenger rail. With the goal of launching service by 2012, the 3C “Quick Start” Passenger Rail Corridor will connect Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati with daily train service for the first time in nearly 40 years.

The announcement comes as a result of months of far-reaching public and private support among Ohioans for intercity passenger rail. “With today’s historic announcement by President Obama, Ohio takes a major step toward modernizing our state’s transportation infrastructure,” said Governor Strickland. “The 3C Corridor will create economic development opportunities and serve as a model of environmental sustainability. Most importantly, it will put thousands of Ohioans to work over the next few years.” 

“I’d like to acknowledge all of the members of Ohio’s congressional delegation who had the courage to support the Recovery Act – the federal stimulus bill – without which this historic announcement would not have been possible,” Strickland added. “Today, we are seeing the beginning of a new way to travel, and this new way to travel has left the station and is bound for Ohio.” Ohio’s 3C “Quick Start” Plan has drawn unprecedented support from citizens and community leaders, business owners and organized labor, sports teams and universities. 

In October 2009, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) and the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) submitted a strong application seeking a share of $8 billion in federal passenger rail funds made available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. “Based on ridership, the 3C ‘Quick Start’ service would rank as the nation’s 12th largest generator of passenger rail traffic in its inaugural year,” said ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris. “At the same time, we will work with Amtrak to strengthen Ohio’s existing service connecting Cleveland, Toledo, and Cincinnati with Chicago, Pittsburgh and the East Coast.”

The application detailed the state’s plans for investing, constructing, and operating a passenger rail service corridor that would serve an estimated 478,000 passengers in its first year of operation - based on projections by Amtrak, the nation’s largest passenger rail service provider. 

“Connecting Ohio’s largest cites through rail will create immediate jobs and set our state on a path towards long-term economic growth,” Senator Sherrod Brown said. “Rail is good for business and good for our cities. For too long, our government passed tax cuts for the rich and giveaways to special interests. An investment in rail infrastructure is an investment in Main Street.” 

Nearly six million Ohioans live within 15 miles of the 250-mile long 3C Corridor, a federally-designated high speed rail corridor and one of the most densely-populated corridors in the U.S. currently without passenger rail service. 

"The 3C Corridor will bring sustainable, quality jobs to Northeast Ohio and high speed connectivity throughout the state," said Rep. Marcia L. Fudge. “I was proud to vote for the Recovery Act, which funded this economic development and transportation project." Ohio’s initial application requested $564 million in federal stimulus funds – a figure from a fall 2009 Amtrak study that provided estimates for needed investments in infrastructure, station stops and equipment. Those costs included a 30 percent construction cost contingency. ODOT and ORDC will work with Amtrak and the state’s freight railroads to quantify final investments needed to maximize capacity for fluid freight and passenger operations, and safely provide passenger service at speeds of up to 79 miles per hour. 

“This Recovery Act funding is not only going to create jobs in Ohio, but it is a critical step in building the economy of America’s future. We know that putting resources into transportation, infrastructure and clean energy projects will help to move our nation forward, revitalize manufacturing and strengthen the middle class,” said Rep. Steve Driehaus. “This smart investment is going to help speed our recovery, and put Cincinnati and Ohio on the path toward future growth and prosperity.” In addition, the state will work with local communities on the costs and needs of eight station stops, including locations in downtown Cleveland, southwest Cleveland, downtown Columbus, downtown Dayton, the Cincinnati suburb of Sharonville, and Cincinnati, as well as in Springfield and near the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Riverside. “I was so proud to work with the Governor, administration and a bipartisan delegation to get the President on board with funding that is crucial for a stronger economy in Ohio,” Rep. Mary Jo Kilroy. “We are the best place in the country for rail service restoration, expansion, and high speed manufacturing, and have a labor force that is just right for these types of investments in our infrastructure.” 

Based on the same Amtrak study, ODOT estimates that annual revenue - including ticket sales - from the initial 3C “Quick Start” service will be approximately $12.2 million each year. The study then estimates that Ohio would need to identify approximately $17 million in additional annual state investment. ODOT is identifying non-gas-tax dollars for these operating funds, including existing federal grant dollars, revenues from advertising on the train, and innovative public-private partnerships. 

“Today’s announcement is welcome news. This important funding will strengthen Ohio’s rail system, create jobs, boost Ohio’s economy and create an additional mode of transportation for more than six million Ohioans,” said Rep. Betty Sutton. “This project will provide an alternative option for those who commute to other parts of the state for work, and will give Ohioans an opportunity to travel and visit other parts of Ohio. Over time, it will spur economic development, which will create additional jobs. The enhanced rail system will also reduce our dependence on foreign oil and improve our environment.” 

“I welcome Secretary Solis and this new investment in Ohio. Our location and transportation infrastructure make Ohio one of the most competitive manufacturing centers in America, and this can only help. Joining our cities together is good for our economy, good for our environment and good for Ohio,” said Rep. Dennis Kucinich. "This rail corridor is long overdue. I want to commend Governor Strickland for his tremendously bold leadership on this project,” said Rep. Tim Ryan. 

“Now is not the time for half-measures. This project will have a transformative effect for generations to come. I also look forward to the addition of a Cleveland-Mahoning Valley-Pittsburgh corridor as the next step in rail improvement.” The $400 million stimulus investment in the 3C “Quick Start” is expected to result in at least 255 immediate construction jobs over a two year period. According to job-creation formulas by the U.S. Department of Commerce, this investment in Ohio will generate at least 8,000 spin-off jobs and could add at least $1.2 billion to Ohio’s economy. 

More information about Ohio’s 3C “Quick Start” Passenger Rail Corridor can be found online at:

http://3CisMe.ohio.gov.

$8 Billion for High-Speed Rail Projects across the Country Announced

Bring on the jobs, bring on the jobs...

DOT Press release:


DOT 18-10
Contact:  Olivia Alair
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Tel.:  (202) 366-4570

President Obama, Vice President Biden to Announce $8 Billion for High-Speed Rail Projects across the Country 

Projects Will Help Create Construction Jobs, Revitalize U.S. Manufacturing Sector

Tampa, FL – President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will today announce that the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is awarding $8 billion to states across the country to develop America’s first nationwide program of high-speed intercity passenger rail service.  Funded by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), these dollars represent an historic investment in the country’s transportation infrastructure, which will help create jobs and transform travel in America.  The announcement is one of a number of job initiatives the President will lay out in the coming weeks that follow up on the continued commitment to job creation he discussed in last night’s State of the Union Address.  A full list of the awards can be viewed HERE. 


“Through the Recovery Act, we are making the largest investment in infrastructure since the Interstate Highway System was created, putting Americans to work rebuilding our roads, bridges, and waterways for the future,” said President Obama. “That investment is how we can break ground across the country, putting people to work building high-speed rail lines, because there’s no reason why Europe or China should have the fastest trains when we can build them right here in America.”


“By investing in high speed rail, we’re doing so many good things for our country at the same time,” said Vice President Biden.  We’re creating good construction and manufacturing jobs in the near-term; we’re spurring economic development in the future; we’re making our communities more livable—and we’re doing it all while decreasing America’s environmental impact and increasing America’s ability to compete in the world.”
Today’s awards will serve as a down-payment on developing or laying the groundwork for 13 new, large-scale high-speed rail corridors across the country.  The major corridors are part of a total of 31 states receiving investments, including smaller projects and planning work that will help lay the groundwork for future high-speed intercity rail service.   The grants are not only expected to have an up-front job and economic impact, but help spur economic growth in communities across the country, provide faster and more energy-efficient means of travel, and establish a new industry in the U.S. that provides stable, well-paid jobs. 


This historic $8 billion investment is expected to create or save tens of thousands of jobs over time in areas like track-laying, manufacturing, planning and engineering, and rail maintenance and operations.  Over 30 rail manufacturers, both domestic and foreign, have agreed to establish or expand their base of operations in the United States if they are hired to build America’s next generation high-speed rail lines – a commitment the Administration secured to help ensure new jobs are created here at home.


“The President’s bold vision for high-speed rail is a game changer,” said Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “It’s not only going to create good jobs and reinvigorate our manufacturing base, it’s also going to reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and help create livable communities.  I have no doubt that building the next generation of rail service in this country will help change our society for the better.”


The majority of the dollars announced today will go toward developing new, large-scale high-speed rail programs.  This includes projects in Florida, which is receiving up to $1.25 billion to develop a new high-speed rail corridor between Tampa and Orlando with trains running up to 168 miles per hour, and in California, which is receiving up to $2.25 billion for its planned project to connect Los Angeles to San Francisco and points in between with trains running up to 220 miles per hour.


In April 2009, the Administration released a long-term plan for high speed rail in America. In addition to the $8 billion awarded today, the plan also included $1 billion a year for five years in the federal budget as a down payment to jump-start the program.  Applicants submitted over $55 billion in project proposals for the initial $8 billion in funds awarded today. 


Obama Administration officials are traveling across the country this week to announce funding for the high speed rail projects and discuss how this investment will create local jobs and rebuild the economy.  Today, EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson will travel to Durham, North Carolina, Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis will visit Columbus, Ohio and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan will be in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood will hold an event in Washington, DC, Executive Director of the White House Council on Auto Communities and Workers Ed Montgomery will visit St. Louis, Missouri and Federal Railroad Administrator Joseph C. Szabo will be in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  On Friday, a senior Department of Transportation official will travel to California and FRA Administrator Szabo will hold an event in Chicago, Illinois.   


For further details on the major corridor projects, click here:
 Florida
 California
 Chicago-St. Louis-Kansas City
 Madison - Milwaukee – Chicago
Charlotte - Raleigh - Richmond - Washington, D.C.
Eugene-Portland-Seattle
Detroit-Chicago
Ohio
Northeast


To learn more about the story of the Recovery Act, visit www.WhiteHouse.gov/Recovery.  To follow Recovery Act dollars, visitwww.Recovery.gov.