3C Corridor “Quick Start” Submitted for Stimulus
On Thursday morning, ODOT and the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) rallied in the Arena District for the submission of the application of the Ohio 3C “Quick Start” Passenger Rail Plan, seeking federal stimulus dollars marked for passenger rail development throughout the country. “The 3C Corridor is Ohio’s premier intercity passenger rail corridor that touches 60% of all Ohioans who live within 15 miles of the corridor,” said ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris. “The corridor is tailor-made for short distance service, and it is one of the best opportunities anywhere in the nation to bring this type of travel choice to those who currently do not have it.”
Press Release:
“Development of passenger rail along the 3C Corridor not only creates jobs, it spurs economic development in our urban cities,” said Ohio Department of Development Director Lisa Patt-McDaniel. “The 3C will link Ohio’s downtown areas, encourage travel to and within our state, allow people to easily shop in our stores, eat at local restaurants, and explore downtown entertainment - both as visitors and as residents on their way to and from work, school and home.”
Ohio’s stimulus application requests $236.2 million for capacity additions; $36.5 million for track upgrades; $32 million for grade crossing upgrades; $29.1 million for stations; $55 million for train maintenance and layover facilities; and $175 million for five equipment (train sets).
Among the highlights of Ohio’s 3C “Quick Start” application that make it stand out from other states:
Large Unmet Passenger Demand: Forecasts suggest that the 3C travel market is as strong, and possibly stronger than many of the other U.S. corridor markets currently served by Amtrak. Based on ridership projections, the 3C “Quick Start” service would rank as the nation’s 12th largest generator of passenger rail traffic.
Single Complete Package: Unlike other proposals that rely on corridors crossing state lines, the 3C “Quick Start” Plan identifies a 250-mile “direct route” all within Ohio’s borders, along the most efficient, cost-effective, and safest direct line of service, with six stops in downtown locations in Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati, as well as stops in west Cleveland and northern Hamilton County. The application also indentifies potential tops, including Springfield and the National Museum of the United States Air Force in Riverside.
Strong Financial Plan: The application requests $564 million in 100% federal stimulus funds, an amount covering needed investments in infrastructure, station stops, and equipment (along with construction cost contingencies) to meet high ridership demand, maximize market response, and minimize initial operating costs. The plan also identifies the minimum amount of construction needed along existing freight rail routes to maximize capacity for fluid freight and passenger operations, including the identification of segments requiring only one-time track upgrading.
“Quick Start” Action and Results: Capital improvements will result in immediate short-term construction jobs for up to 360 workers over a two year period. The 3C Corridor presents new service opportunities to eleven of Ohio’s federally-designated economically distressed counties. The 3C “Quick Start” Service would also offer the most significant and visible change in transportation choice in the Midwest, with service running as early as 2011 or 2012, depending on how quickly the federal government makes its decision.
“As the president of The Ohio State University, I am privileged to see first-hand the abilities and dedication of the next generation of college graduates. Ohio’s plan for passenger rail in the region will provide a critical physical link to enhance the development of the emerging knowledge economy,” endorsed Dr. E. Gordon Gee, President of The Ohio State University.
Ohio’s application is also made strong by the landmark support from other Midwest states. As part of the Midwest Passenger Rail Steering Group, Ohio’s application comes with the endorsement of Illinois, Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin, Missouri, Minnesota, and Indiana - as well as the City of Chicago. In return, Ohio is supporting the applications of those states and the region’s collective high-speed rail priorities.
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Related Tags: 3c corridor • federal stimulus • ohio hub • passenger rail • Transit • transportation
October 3rd, 2009 at 1:59 pm
I just hope that if… hopefully when.. this happens, Columbus will take it to the next level by providing more options for transportation within the city. My concern is, what are people going to do when they get off the train in downtown? Rent a car? Get a cab? Or dare to ride a bus system they aren’t familiar with to get them to the more desirable destinations in Columbus (Easton/Polaris)? The Short North and the Arena District can only do so much for us when it comes to travel and tourism.
I’m really hopeful that by having Amtrak running through Downtown, that might be the catalyst that this city needs to really revive it (downtown).
October 3rd, 2009 at 3:46 pm
I really don’t think COTA is all that hard to use. It wouldn’t be difficult to have a kiosk set up at the terminal for people to see COTA routes and figure out where they are going. Riding to Easton or Polaris really only requires hopping on one bus and waiting for the destination-the #16 for Easton and the #1 for Polaris. I’ve done Easton by bus/bike without a car and I really wouldn’t be tempted to do it again. If someone is planning to go to those two destinations, they’ll probably be grabbing a car anyways.
Besides, this is the same dilemma that passengers face at CMH. Only now, when taking the 3C, they have a very inexpensive set of options when they come into downtown. At CMH your options are rent a car, take a cab or be picked up. I think most will figure out COTA pretty quickly and the $1.50 ride is nice compared to the taxi fees.
October 4th, 2009 at 10:17 am
@Jergarr27, are you saying the Short North and Arena District are the only places worth visiting in our central city? You consider Polaris and Easton “more desirable” places to visit?
You don’t consider The University District, North Market, Gallery Hop, the Cap, Brewery District, German Village, COSI, Franklin Park Conservatory, Kelton House, the Statehouse, The Discovery District, CCAD, Gay Street, Topiary Park, Main Library (rated top in the country), Franklinton, KLD, Old Town East, Goodale Park, Huntington Park, North Bank Park, Clintonville, Merion Village, Victorian Village, Italian Village and countless other destinations worth a stop? All are accessible by one bus or a short cab ride from downtown. I am one of many who rarely leave the central city. We live, work, shop, dine and play here every single day with no complaints and we don’t consider Easton or Polaris more desirable (and certainly no more interesting and exciting) than anything in our urban core.
Oh, and you can rent a bicycle at B1 downtown to ride to any of the stops above.
October 4th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
@lizless: I don’t consider Polaris or Easton more desirable. I for one am much more partial to what’s inside the city than what’s out of it. As far as all the places you mentioned in and around the Downtown area, as nice as those places are, some of those placed don’t really offer a lot to do besides walk around and look at stuff. And some of those places primarily attract adult audiences. What about the young people who visit (14-25 year olds)? Don’t get me wrong, I love the villages and the museum of art, Main Library etc…, but I don’t know if I would consider those the kind of places that would make people want to keep coming back to Columbus over and over again. I look at it from a competition stand point. If you didn’t live in Columbus, but was familiar with it, would you actively make it a point to come back here for an impromptu or even planned visit? Or would you go somewhere that may offer more because they’ve been able to develop more as a city. As far as transportation is concerned, Cota may be sufficient, and you may be able to get around by bike,.. but those options don’t appeal to everyone.
I believe that Columbus is a great city with huge potential, but I can’t help but to feel that we have a long way to go before we can really compete with other cities. Especially since we don’t have any major natural attractions to compliment the city.
All I was just saying is that I feel we need more on top of the great things that we have and hopefullly this 3C Corridor project will pave the way for that.
October 5th, 2009 at 7:18 am
I don’t see why someone would come here from Cleveland, Dayton, or Cincinnati to go to Polaris or Easton. They have their own shopping malls. They’ll come for conventions, business, state government offices, OSU, sporting events, and the unique attractions downtown that Liz listed.
October 5th, 2009 at 8:59 am
johnwirtz Says: I don’t see why someone would come here from Cleveland, Dayton, or Cincinnati to go to Polaris or Easton. They have their own shopping malls.
I agree with you for the most part, but I think the thought is that for people who are already visiting or spending a few days here, shopping at shopping malls is something that a lot of people do for fun. They may not be the main reason for travel, but they will be something that many people will look to visit once here.
Both Polaris and Easton were built close to highways for mobility access, and they intentionally neglected bus, bike, and pedestrian access because the developers deemed all of that to be not as important. Once the 3C is up and running, perhaps they’ll change their tune and look for better ways to get people from the Central City to their shopping centers. Developing new bus routes or light rail can only do so much when the developer doesn’t want to cooperate. It’s really their loss.
And speaking of loss… the North Corridor Light Rail line is still quite a few years out. I wouldn’t be surprised if by the time it’s up and running, Polaris (and Easton to a less extent) is no longer as attractive of a place as it is today. It’s interesting that Tuttle wasn’t considered as an example for easy access. That mall is only 12 years old, and it’s pushed to the back of our minds.
Anyway, I’m all for getting the 3C up and running first, and planning our next steps from there, whether it be Streetcar, Light Rail, Airport Tram, or more Regional Rail (Pitt-Cols-Indy line).
October 5th, 2009 at 9:01 am
Yes. Please. Do this already.
This past weekend, I took the Greyhound from Columbus to Cleveland. My wife and I share a car, and she drove up eariler to attend a conference. The one-way ride cost $23 - roughly what a one-way trip from Columbus to Cleveland on rail is projected to cost. It was a great value. And the bus was FULL! If 3-C were in place, I’d have taken it in a heartbeat. Once I was up in Cleveland, I spent the weekend walking and taking buses and light rail to various spots around town. Didn’t get in the car until she was done with conference on Sunday and we went east to visit family. This is the kind of regional travel to Ohio’s vibrant downtowns that the 3C could spur.
October 5th, 2009 at 9:40 am
@Walker
Yeah, I could see people coming for several days wanting to do some shopping, but if they’re coming only to shop, I doubt they’ll take the train.
That means we need a good transit connection to Easton and Polaris. Easton has the #16, which is okay, but could probably be improved with more direct routing, faster travel times, and more frequent service. Polaris only has two reverse commute express trips per day on the #29. So unless you plan to be at the mall from 8 AM to 5 PM, that won’t work for tourists. Maybe the #1 could be extended west, or the #2 north, but that ends up being a long trip. I think we need some type of faster, high capacity, regional transit.
October 5th, 2009 at 10:01 am
I thought in the mayors letter to the Feds, he said that the plan was to move on the North Corridor as soon as the 3C was approved so that they could be ready about the same time. Doesn’t the North Corridor route include Polaris?
October 5th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
I believe it is in close proximity. Unless COTA changed things, the #1 makes several trip to the Polaris Area. Can’t remember how close it gets you. And the #18 gets you to Tuttle.
At this point I would settle for COTA making the main routes for user friendly, as has been discussed here in the past. Make a friendler route map, more signage for time tables, bring some technology in for real time tracking at major stops. Slight improvements would probably take some of the “fear” out of using COTA.
October 5th, 2009 at 2:35 pm
The #1 goes to Ohio Health at Polaris & Africa Rd, but not to the mall. It also takes about an hour to get there from downtown. Even if you do it though, have fun walking the 2.6 miles to the mall from there. There are few sidewalks, crosswalks, or pedestrian signals. I suppose you could bus and bike, but then you have the wonderful choice of crossing either this bridge or this one .
October 5th, 2009 at 6:32 pm
Thanks, John, I couldn’t remember the details-thus the “Polaris Area” :). I know it doesn’t run that way on every trip-just like every other hour or something.
October 5th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
Central City Recording Says: Doesn’t the North Corridor route include Polaris?
I don’t believe that the old North Corridor route that was originally developed in the 90s did, as Polaris wasn’t around yet. Pretty sure it stopped at Crosswoods. I imagine that the route could easily be extended, but the existing rail lines aren’t too close to the mall anyway (they run just to the west of the Chase complex). A rail station at Polaris Parkway & the Rail Line would still result in pleasant mile and a half walk down Polaris Parkway to get to the mall.
October 6th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
^I think the North Corridor was going to terminate at Lazelle Rd near the Chase Bank HQ.
October 6th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Ohio’s stimulus application was received by the FRA on Friday: in time to meet the deadline. The statement below indicates that Ohio has some stiff competition. But keep in mind that one huge plus for Ohio is that we are delivering a whole new, unserved corridor with a population of over 6-million people into the national passenger rail system.
High-Speed Rail Application Status
http://www.fra.dot.gov/us/content/2301
STATEMENT FROM FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION (FRA)
ADMINISTRATOR JOSEPH C. SZABO
“We have received numerous applications from states and groups of states for the development of high-speed and intercity passenger rail programs for grant funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. These include 45 applications from 24 states totaling approximately $50 billion to advance high-speed rail corridor programs.
We also received 214 applications from 34 states totaling $7 billion for corridor planning and smaller projects.
Due to the overwhelming response and our desire to lay the groundwork for a truly national high-speed and intercity passenger rail program, we will be announcing all awards this winter. Our selections will be merit-based and will reflect President Obama’s vision to remake America’s transportation landscape. We look forward to further evaluating these proposals and spurring economic development while providing Americans with clean, energy-efficient transportation choices in the years and decades to come.”
October 6th, 2009 at 11:18 pm
Fingers crossed! ;)
October 14th, 2009 at 7:05 pm
Press Release:
Ohio’s 3C “Quick Start” and Midwest Rail Plans Tops Agenda As Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission Meets in Columbus
Adding to the unprecedented interest in passenger rail development in Ohio, the multi-state Midwest Interstate Passenger Rail Commission (MIPRC) will hold the group’s first-ever meeting in Ohio Thursday (Oct. 15th)) and Friday (Oct 16th) to discuss the future of passenger rail in the region.
The status of Ohio’s recent 3C “Quick Start” application for federal stimulus funds - as well as the applications of other Midwestern projects - will be a lead topic on the MIPRC agenda, along with discussions about pending federal legislation aimed at long-term high-speed passenger rail funding.
Bringing together transportation leaders and passenger rail experts from across the Midwest, the MIPRC will meet at the Westin Columbus Hotel at 310 South High Street in downtown Columbus, just blocks away from a proposed station location for Ohio’s 3C “Quick Start” service.
“Ohio welcomes transportation leaders from across the Midwest to Columbus. This meeting provides an opportunity to discuss how a robust regional passenger rail system will generate economic growth in Ohio and beyond,” said Ohio Governor Ted Strickland said. “Just a few weeks ago, Ohio was one of eight Midwestern states to submit federal stimulus applications for passenger rail projects, illustrating our commitment to building a system of rail transportation that connects
our region and grows the Midwest economy.”
Earlier this month, Ohio submitted an impressive application for federal stimulus funding for the 3C “Quick Start” Plan - connecting Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati with medium speed 79 mph passenger trains. The application carried with it over 140 letters and resolutions of support from governments, community and business leaders from all along the 3C Corridor.
The 3C “Quick Start” Plan is one component of ORDC’s plans to deliver an additional transportation choice to Ohioans. Ohio also joined the State of Indiana in applying for $2.8 million in Recovery Act funds to finance planning for advancing the Chicago-Toledo-Cleveland corridor to high speed. In addition, the state is conducting the next required environmental study for implementing high speed passenger rail in the following corridors: Toledo-Cleveland-Pittsburgh; Columbus—Toledo; and Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati. Governor Strickland and Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell have also sent a joint letter to the Federal Railroad Administration urging the FRA to designate Cleveland-Pittsburgh as a high speed rail corridor, which would create a federally designated high speed rail corridor connecting Chicago, Toledo, Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia.
According to information gathered by the MIPRC, eight Midwestern states have submitted applications to receive federal funding for the development of passenger rail corridors. Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin met the Oct. 2 deadline for submitting applications for multi-year passenger rail corridor program funding from the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) under its High Speed Intercity Passenger Rail program. Together, these states asked for almost $10 billion in “Track 2” funding to fully develop corridors and purchase train sets for new service.
“The MIPRC meeting is an excellent opportunity for Ohio and our fellow Midwest states to advance the discussion about the need for improved passenger rail and projects such as our 3C ‘Quick Start’ , the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative and the Ohio Hub Plan for high speed passenger rail service,” said ORDC Executive Director Matt Dietrich.
One of Friday’s sessions, in fact, will include a report on a visit to observe Spain’s high speed rail system by MIPRC Commissioners. Among those Commissioners on the trip were Ohio State Rep. Robert Hagan, himself a railroad locomotive engineer and an ORDC Commissioner, and Art Arnold of the Ohio Railroad Association. Ohio state Senator Thomas Patton, Chairman of the Ohio Senate Highways and Transportation Committee is also a MIPRC Commissioner.
MIPRC brings together state legislators and other transportation leaders from across the region to advocate for passenger rail improvements. Formed by compact agreement in 2000, the MIPRC’s current members are Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio and Wisconsin. Ohio is among the founding members.
November 13th, 2009 at 12:45 pm
Rail applications freighted with politics?
Posted by James Nash, Statehouse reporter
November 13, 2009 11:52 AM
Perhaps this was inevitable: Politics will play a role in deciding which states get federal stimulus money to build high-speed railroads.
READ MORE