Ohio’s 3C “Quick Start” Passenger Rail Plan:

Ohio to Submit Application for Nation’s
‘Premier Passenger Rail Corridor’ with events in
Downtown Columbus and
Downtown Cleveland

COLUMBUS - The Ohio Department of Transportation and the Ohio Rail Development Commission will submit to Washington the state’s federal stimulus application for the Ohio 3C “Quick Start” Passenger Rail Plan at an event Thursday in downtown Columbus. 

Ohio’s 3C “Quick Start” Plan - connecting Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati with medium speed 79 mph passenger trains - is a strong contender for stimulus funding.

A recently released ridership and revenue study prepared by Amtrak estimated that 478,000 passengers would board the train each year in Ohio, due in large part to the unique opportunity to connect with more than 60 percent of the state’s population.

“Critical to Ohio’s economic well-being are strategic transportation investments that create jobs, enhance freight movement, attract talent into our workforce and connect our citizens with destinations throughout the state and Midwest,” said Ty Marsh, president and CEO of Columbus Chamber. “The Columbus Chamber supports the proposed 3C ‘Quick Start’ passenger rail service because it can pay significant economic dividends.”

Recognizing the economic development potential of the 3C “Quick Start” service, Cleveland’s business community is embracing the state’s plan: “We support your efforts to bring federal dollars to Ohio for the purpose of creating a high speed rail system in our state,” wrote Joe Roman, President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Partnership, “A high speed system that connects our cities is cited as a project worthy of priority consideration.”

COLUMBUS EVENT :

WHO:           ODOT Director Jolene M. Molitoris
                     Ohio Department of Development Director Lisa Patt-McDaniel
                     ORDC Executive Director Matt Dietrich
                     Columbus Chamber President and CEO Ty Marsh

WHAT:          News Conference/Rally to Submit 3C “Quick Start” Stimulus Application 

WHEN:          9:30 AM

WHERE:       Union Station Arch - Columbus Nationwide Arena District 
                     Next to 277 W. Nationwide Blvd.
                     Columbus, OH 43215

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Additional information can be found at http://3CisME.ohio.gov