ODOT to consider statewide passenger rail this week
The Ohio General Assembly is holding hearings on ODOT's 2010-11 budget Tuesday and Wednesday. ODOT is requesting funding for 3-C Corridor "starter" passenger rail service, plus planning funding to make three other Ohio Hub corridors eligible for construction funding under the new federal passenger rail development program. All Aboard Ohio asks rail advocates to submit here oral or written testimony in support of rail development to the House and Senate Transportation Committees.

Apropos of that, Gov. Strickland is inviting requests on how to use stimulus funds, including statewide passenger rail here.

And the Sierra Club Ohio Chapter is organizing a passenger rail lobby day on March 3. The group hopes to generate support for the Ohio Hub and other transit projects in the state transportation budget (which needs to be adopted by both Houses by March 31). For more information, contact Jen Miller.

A new, national passenger rail coalition, OneRail, testified before Congress that we have a chance to clear historic roadblocks and invest in new opportunities for intercity passenger rail projects. They called for more flexibility in letting states chose how to use stimulus funds for surface transportation

Lorain County, citizens group join to consider West side rail line
Plans for a commuter rail line from Vermilion to Cleveland (with stops in the western suburbs) on existing freight tracks chugged forward after a citizens' group agreed to join forces with Lorain County officials. The group needs another $30,000 to complete a feasibility study of the line, which is estimated to cost $100 million. Read more.

Recovery Act Invests $9.3 Billion to Expand High-Speed Rail in America
The final version of the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act now before Congress includes an unprecedented $8 billion investment in high-speed rail. In addition, Amtrak will receive $1.3 billion to rebuild trains and improve its capacity.

"We commend President Obama and Congress for helping to get America moving again with modern trains," said Howard Learner, Executive Director of the Environmental Law & Policy Center. "Investing in high-speed rail projects will put people to work quickly, create new economic opportunities, increase mobility and reduce traffic congestion and pollution."

The $8 billion made available through the Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be awarded competitively to states to improve passenger rail service, primarily on those corridors where 110 mph service is proposed. Funds can also be used on conventional rail projects that relieve congestion. The Midwest is very well positioned, with federally designated high-speed rail corridors radiating out in a hub-and-spoke network from Chicago to St. Louis, Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee, Madison and the Twin Cities.

Environmental Law & Policy Center has long called for the development of a Midwest high-speed rail network. Governors and state Departments of Transportation have embraced high-speed rail as modern, fast, comfortable and convenient. We have done the homework and prep work. These projects are now ready to build," said Learner. "We look forward to working with the states to meet Congress's challenge to rebuild America with cleaner transportation."

"Congress has moved on the right track toward economic recovery," said Learner. "Investing in modern, high-speed rail is an important down payment on America's transportation future."