Perhaps this was inevitable: Politics will play a role in deciding which states get federal stimulus money to build high-speed railroads.

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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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.