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Where would you put commuter rail around Columbus?

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Started 2 years ago by michaelcoyote
Latest reply from tt342998

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michaelcoyote
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Someone posted information on the Nashville Music City Star the other day and I thought it was very interesting.

The idea was to put together a starter line without a lot of outlay. In Nashville, they were able to put together a 32 mile, 6 stop line for $41 million, which is inexpensive as rail lines go.

The trains are basically F40s with old Metra cars in a push-pull configuration (drivable from either end) and run over existing rail lines.

I spent some time and looked around for rail lines around the area and able to find a few lines that looked like they could be put into service for commuter rail.

Here's what I came up with mapped onto a google map

What lines do you think would work and why. What stations would you add or take away and why? Any lines that might work that I've missed?

Keep in mind that this is a commuter rail, so connections in the city might be limited, and the more stations we add, the longer the line would take and the more expensive it will be.

Posted 2 years ago #
misskitty
Columbus
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Is there any reason we are so set on a street car in general. Why not a monorail?
I would add stops to the West but the rest looks good.

Posted 2 years ago #
michaelcoyote
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misskitty wrote >>
Is there any reason we are so set on a street car in general. Why not a monorail?
I would add stops to the West but the rest looks good.

I should be more clear. I'm focusing on commuter rail system using existing rail infrastructure. No building of new tracks, just repair of existing where needed.

I'm also asking what line would you chose first. If there's a line to the west we could use, tell me where it is and I'll add it to the map.

Posted 2 years ago #
misskitty
Columbus
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I will Let me see if I can find a map of it.

ETA: It's the Norfolk southern track that runs from Columbus to Butler county. But there are other intersecting tracks that run that same direction I am just not finding the name of it yet.

Posted 2 years ago #
tt342998

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The East line to Newark for the following reasons:

Strong ridership potential with Newark, Heath, Pataskala, Gahanna-area
State-owned rail line that has light freight rail traffic
Connection to Port Columbus
Stations could be situated in downtown areas to spur strong TOD
I would use it the most

Posted 2 years ago #
cc

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I would also use the tracks that go west of downtown just south of goodale blvd. that goes past grandview yard and then along a lot of developments.

Posted 2 years ago #
futureman
Grandview Heights
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I'd say the section from downtown to Delaware (through Powell, Grandview Lane Ave/Upper Arlington ...) would be the best first line.

Whether we like it or not, greater Columbus is growing north and getting around Powell at rush hour is a nightmare. Additionally, the Powell area really doesn't have any good freeway access. Have you tried taking 315 and turning left onto Powell rd during rush hour? It backs up forever.

This line would also connect up with Grandview Yard, Gowdy Fields, Arena District, possible Casino, Convention Center, Riverside hospital, OSU /OSUMC (would need to get CABS stop over there).

Posted 2 years ago #
Mercurius
First Avenue
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I'd say CMH to Worthington via the Columbus Convention Center makes the most sense for visitors without cars, students without cars and population density.

Posted 2 years ago #
futureman
Grandview Heights
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I would also say *no* for the Newark line mainly because Newark has a brand new freeway that connects it to Columbus (waste!). Now, if this was done before completion of that freeway project I'd be all for it.

Posted 2 years ago #
Mercurius
First Avenue
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futureman wrote >>
I'd say the section from downtown to Delaware (through Powell, Grandview Lane Ave/Upper Arlington ...) would be the best first line.
Whether we like it or not, greater Columbus is growing north and getting around Powell at rush hour is a nightmare. Additionally, the Powell area really doesn't have any good freeway access. Have you tried taking 315 and turning left onto Powell rd during rush hour? It backs up forever.
This line would also connect up with Grandview Yard, Gowdy Fields, Arena District, possible Casino, Convention Center, Riverside hospital, OSU /OSUMC (would need to get CABS stop over there).

UA and Grandview are too low density and almost everyone there already drives a car?

Posted 2 years ago #
Twixlen
Westgate, Columbus
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I like this.

For the western line, there are tracks that head out of the Arena District and basically course just south of McKinley Ave, until they cross 70, then one line dips just south of Valleyview (not sure where the obvious station is here.... obviously somewhere Hilltopie, then maybe Georgesville?), the other line goes North straight into the heart of Hilliard, thru to West of Glacier Ridge to Plain City.

I think it would be good to get to Hilliard/Dublin as well - large commuting population there - I would love a train to downtown Dublin/Sawmill - I HATE driving up there, and find myself doing it anyway.

Posted 2 years ago #
Twixlen
Westgate, Columbus
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Also - I know these lines (at least the ones out west) are really used. Was this the case with Nashville? I lived there for a while, and honestly don't remember there being trains - not like here (again, at least west side, since we have the huge switching yard that I drive over all the time).

Posted 2 years ago #
futureman
Grandview Heights
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Mercurius wrote >>

futureman wrote >>
I'd say the section from downtown to Delaware (through Powell, Grandview Lane Ave/Upper Arlington ...) would be the best first line.
Whether we like it or not, greater Columbus is growing north and getting around Powell at rush hour is a nightmare. Additionally, the Powell area really doesn't have any good freeway access. Have you tried taking 315 and turning left onto Powell rd during rush hour? It backs up forever.
This line would also connect up with Grandview Yard, Gowdy Fields, Arena District, possible Casino, Convention Center, Riverside hospital, OSU /OSUMC (would need to get CABS stop over there).

UA and Grandview are too low density and almost everyone there already drives a car?

I was suggesting that Lane Ave is a good stop due to all ready being on west campus, not that people from UA would use it. And Grandview, 3rd Ave, is a good spot because of Gowdy Fields and Grandview Yard projects. Additionally this line would be apart of the 315 tech corridor (assuming that's still going on). This was brought up here (in the Kimball Midwest site discussion)

The 17th Ave stop on the other line would also be good, but I was thinking more about servicing new and existing developments, not just campus and surrounding areas @ 17th & 4th st. It's a tough call, both lines would be ideal.

Posted 2 years ago #
Walker
The KLD / Downtown
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Good thread. I love the Music City Star's funding and plan and think that something similar could work really well as a suburban commuter rail service in Central Ohio.

I've also toyed with google maps like this in the past just for fun. ;) Tracing existing rail lines generally leads you to most of the population centers in Central Ohio where a transit station makes sense.

My additions/subtractions:

- A southern leg to hit Rickenbacker (major job center) and down to Circleville (pop:13k+). I think Circleville has a very underrated little Downtown area with some cool shops and restaurants and things. Plus it would be great to get to the Pumpkin Fest without sitting in traffic and parking. ;)

- A southeast leg to hit Brice & Pickerington (pop:17k+). That area is growing like crazy.

- I'd probably cut off those two northern legs at Delaware. At least to start. Service to Marion (50 miles away) may be better served by the 3C anyway if it can be configured to run during peak use hours. Do many people commute that far for work in Columbus anyway?

- A northwest leg to run through Hilliard out to Marysville (pop: 17k+). Another rapidly growing area. Might even be worthwhile to run a few miles past out to the Honda Plant (10th largest employer in region with 6300+ workers) for connection to jobs out there.

- A west leg to run through the west side neighborhoods, West Jeff, and out to London.

- I would alter the east leg to bypass Port Columbus, and instead set up a different "shuttle" line that ran directly from Port Columbus to the main Downtown terminal. I see most of these routes primarily serving as suburban commuter lines with irregular service times built around rush hour use, and I think the airport could use something with a more regular service and longer hours.

I'd probably prefer to see these lines prioritized in terms of timeline based on population densities served with some sort of special priorities place on airport (CMH & Rickenbacker) service.

Posted 2 years ago #
ehill27
Short North
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Wow! Impressive, but going much further out than I would anticipate a starter line would do.

I'd have to agree with those who stated that the greatest need would be a north-south line from Downtown/German Village to Polaris/Delaware. Each line could always be extended over time (and when adjacent counties decide to pay into the system).

Posted 2 years ago #
jpizzow
580 N. Park St.
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In order of importance:

Line 1: From downtown to Port Columbus to Easton. I believe this should be the first line over Polaris.

Line 2: From downtown up existing rail along Jeffrey Place and fairgrounds to Polaris

Line 3: From Whittier through Grandview Yard through OSU to Riverside

Then 2 Streetcars. The first from the Brewery District up High St. to OSU. The second from Riversouth down Main St. to Capital U.

Change zoning around all stations to allow for TOD.

Build a central hub on the northwest corner of High St. and Nationwide Blvd.

In my dreams.

Posted 2 years ago #
lifeontwowheels
Highland West
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No W. Broad St.?

Posted 2 years ago #
Rockmastermike
CORNspiracy HQ
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There was already an awesome thread about this with MAPS and stuff. Mostly at the end we were using existing rail lines.

http://www.columbusunderground.com/forums/topic/fantasy-columbus-metro-map

Check it out, some of the maps are cool

Posted 2 years ago #
cmhcow
shhh... i am right behind you!
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north corridor is the most populated. most populated = greatest chance for success. airport is nice but too sparsely populated (look at just WHERE the ROW is) and you are assuming that a lot of people visiting town would a) use it and b) are going downtown. yeah, downtown. you know, where the limited, cardinal health and wendy's are located.

Posted 2 years ago #
Mercurius
First Avenue
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futureman wrote >>

Mercurius wrote >>

futureman wrote >>
I'd say the section from downtown to Delaware (through Powell, Grandview Lane Ave/Upper Arlington ...) would be the best first line.
Whether we like it or not, greater Columbus is growing north and getting around Powell at rush hour is a nightmare. Additionally, the Powell area really doesn't have any good freeway access. Have you tried taking 315 and turning left onto Powell rd during rush hour? It backs up forever.
This line would also connect up with Grandview Yard, Gowdy Fields, Arena District, possible Casino, Convention Center, Riverside hospital, OSU /OSUMC (would need to get CABS stop over there).

UA and Grandview are too low density and almost everyone there already drives a car?

I was suggesting that Lane Ave is a good stop due to all ready being on west campus, not that people from UA would use it. And Grandview, 3rd Ave, is a good spot because of Gowdy Fields and Grandview Yard projects. Additionally this line would be apart of the 315 tech corridor (assuming that's still going on). This was brought up here (in the Kimball Midwest site discussion)
The 17th Ave stop on the other line would also be good, but I was thinking more about servicing new and existing developments, not just campus and surrounding areas @ 17th & 4th st. It's a tough call, both lines would be ideal.

The question though, is it worth $200 million in investment so people can get to gowdy fields and grandview yard? There aren't really many students (comparatively) living on west campus either.

Posted 2 years ago #