DAYTON
— The cause of returning passenger rail service to Ohio got a big boost
with Gov. Ted Strickland's endorsement during his State of the State
address Wednesday, Jan. 28.
Initial service to Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland could include
one stop in downtown Dayton and another near the Museum of the U.S. Air
Force in Riverside, according to plans from the Ohio Rail Development
Commission.
Besides that, there are hopes that idled industrial plants such as
Moraine's GM facility could be redeveloped for rail car manufacture,
said Ken Prendergast, interim director of the rail advocacy group "All
Aboard Ohio."
During his address, Strickland said, "We will strengthen Ohio with
innovative transportation projects. We will work toward the restoration
of passenger rail service between Cincinnati, Columbus, and Cleveland.
"Our goal is to link Ohio's three largest cities by passenger rail
for the first time in 40 years. This will be a first step toward a rail
system that links neighborhoods within a city, and cities within our
state."
Prendergast said the state has asked the federal government for $100
million to fund the plan, which could be initiated with three
northbound and three southbound passenger trains per day, which for the
most part would follow existing track lines.
Some additional track would have to be built, since the cars would
share lines with freight trains, Prendergast said. New stations would
also be built. The soonest service could begin would be 2010.
Amy Gomberg, program director for the advocacy group Environment
Ohio, said she is "thrilled the governor is including the passenger
project as a priority. We have a great chance to see an infusion of
federal dollars."
