Communities Reach Critical Milestone for Passenger Rail Development
The Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, along with the City of Ft. Wayne, Ind., and the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission are committing $650,000 in local funds toward the development of a passenger rail corridor that would connect Chicago and Pittsburgh via stops in Columbus, Ohio, and Ft. Wayne.
The entities have submitted the commitment to the Federal Railroad Administration for the Midwest Connect Passenger Rail project. About $400,000 of the local match came from communities in the Buckeye State.
“Once built, this project would provide a valuable transportation connection and bring new economic development opportunities for residents along this route. Re-establishing this four-state corridor would invest in both urban and rural communities, enhance connectivity and create thousands of full-time jobs while strengthening the region’s service, manufacturing, and tourism industries.”
Central Ohio is the fastest growing region in the Midwest and will top three million residents by 2050, projections show. Yet, Central Ohio remains one of the largest metropolitan areas without passenger rail service.
This funding commitment, made up of investments from more than half a dozen local communities in Ohio and Indiana, is critical to advancing into Step Two of the FRA’s Corridor ID program.
“This is a strategic investment in the future quality of life in small towns, suburbs, and big cities across these routes. It will connect people to jobs, create economic development, and add a new way for fans to get to games, students to get to college, and family members to visit."
Step Two of the Corridor ID program will shape routes, station planning, and position the region for future federal investment, according to MORPC officials.
