For me, it would be noon before I was hungry but the trip to NYC is long enough to warrant a meal at some point during the trek. And for those of you who like steak and eggs (or breakfast at least), both are on the menu.

Peace Out – 3C

We know about the 3C Corridor website ODOT recently established. It’s our marketing tool, when you get right down to it.  Ohio can show the Feds that residents want it.  Sharon left her comment there and it’s a great point about how spokes from the 3C Corridor will reach to Chicago AND places like Toronto, because the need for the services are there. Add your comments!

Peace Out – 3C

If Ohio were to build a high speed rail system would you use it?

Yes  63.3% No  19.8% Not sure  16.9%

The above are results of a WKYC on line poll being conducted - and you can vote too. Would you support passenger rail improvements in Ohio?

The poll information was at the end of a very positive report by Eric Mansfield on the WKYC 7pm news.  For many of us, The Ohio Hub and passenger rail are not new ideas but what IS new, is the support being generated, and at a fast pace, over the last 12 months.

From my studies, it seems like Senator Sherrod Brown is a huge supporter of high speed rail. Certainly Governor Strickland is, as is evidenced by his comments in his latest budget proposals and state of Ohio report. The Mayor of Akron hopes everyone in Ohio will see the value of an improved rail system, something already done on a wide scale in Europe (I remember riding the Shinkensen high speed train in Japan in the 80s and being mesmerized at how efficient it was). 

This is no longer a pie in the sky idea. And I think Ken Prendergast, the new All Aboard Ohio executive director, made a most critical point:

the purpose is not so much to build a train system as it is to build a low mileage lifestyle that makes us less dependent on oil.

The WKYC report was good at pointing out that the first step is to improve passenger rail in general (meaning about 79 mph) and Governor Strickland is committed to the 3C Corridor passenger rail system (Cleveland-Columbus-Cincinnati) getting up and running under his watch. Then with Federal monies etc., we can work on upgrading to high speed rail and the entire Ohio Hub Plan

So many of us feel strongly about how this can improve Ohio’s economic situation, with immediate jobs being created (in steel, for example, construction too) and then with new job development, new housing and commercial development, springing up along all the new rail lines.

 for the entire wkyc on line article related to their news story, go here.  

Brewed Fresh Daily  has had a few posts over the past month with comments about fixing our infrastructure as a good foundation instead of signing up to do a new convention center.  And yes, I had to insert my two cents as well at times.  Here is one post by Ed Morrison on BFD  that started out about Pittsburgh’s Convention Ctr. and wound up, in part, discussing where our priorities should be. It’s not too late to add your two cents.

Today I found an article written by Mariia Zimmerman who heads up an organization with a goal I bet a lot of us like: “a coalition which aims to create a world-class transportation system in the U.S. “  Her organization is called Transportation for America.  

Mariia points out that it’s probably even more critical for those in the suburbs to have access to a top notch public transportation system, since they would spend the most (assuming a downtown ‘city’ commute) on car fuel each week.  People really are having to decide on food, paying the mortgage or driving the car. It’s reached the tipping point? Here is part of what she said in her article:

“…. and increasingly America’s suburbs are looking for ways to provide more transit options, develop urban mixed-use centers, and build sidewalks and trails. The reinvention of America’s suburbs may be one of the most stunning evolutions of the 21^st Century…. As a critical first step, we need to make a commitment to building an infrastructure for the future on a scale similar to the one we made to the Interstate Highway system 50 years ago. But this time, we need to focus on completing our transportation system with inter-city trains, world-class public transportation and streets that are safe for walking and biking, as we restore our existing roads and bridges to good repair….”

And this emphasis from her article is mine: “….These investments will help stabilize our economy in the short-term as they lay the groundwork for the future, while helping millions of Americans in our daily lives, reducing our national dependence on oil and making for a cleaner, greener and less energy-intensive future.”   Read the entire article here. It’s from a pbs NOW show on trains and transit.

From Stacie Fallon, Senior Policy Analyst for The Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission:

Last week was an amazing turning point for passenger rail development in our country and the region. Not only did Congress send landmark legislation to the President – finally reauthorizing Amtrak, providing for significant programming and funding to the states, and requiring new rail-safety measures – but the first grant funding to states for intercity passenger rail development and planning was announced. The Midwest won big, receiving almost half of the funding; five of the 11 states to receive funding are Midwestern states. Altogether, the five states (Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin) received funding for seven projects, totaling over $13 million of the $30 million awarded.

And remember the original premise of The Ohio Hub, to connect cities within a four hour drive of Cleveland? Here is an article by Jim Carroll of The Erie Times - he talks about Erie becoming a stop on our high speed rail system and he highlights a sharing of information provided by Andrew Bremer of All Aboard Ohio at a meeting. Among other things this Erie writer liked:

Bremer said such train service would allow Erie riders to get to Cleveland in 1 hour and 10 minutes, Toronto in 2 hours and 20 minutes and Chicago in 5 hours and 10 minutes.

Bremer said the group’s analysis shows that a full build-out of the system could ultimately mean $575 million in new development within a mile and a half of an Erie station.

Once again, in case you missed it in an earlier post, here is  HR 2095, which finally passed.

Peace Out – 3C

“…A record 25.8 million passengers took Amtrak in the last fiscal year. Ridership is expected to exceed 28 million this year, spokesman Cliff Black said.

More people are boarding trains across the country and not just in the traditionally successful Northeast corridor, he said. For example, ridership between Kansas City and St. Louis increased 57 percent last month compared with July 2007. The train between Oklahoma City and Dallas saw a 40 percent boost…”

 

While one could assume his stance on Amtrak would follow McCain to the White House if elected, “a change of heart is always possible,” Johnson said hopefully.

The Impact Study press releases will be more detailed and are not ready for prime time yet but soon. In the meantime, please do read the following to find out the snippets of information we already know: Economic Impact is Positive. Peace Out – 3C

** I don’t believe in duplicating content and I have two blogs so please check out the link above you will be excited about the news, I think.