Thanks to the efforts of Rep. Betty Sutton (D-13), the West Shore Corridor has become a bonafide transportation project in the eyes of federal, state and regional transportation planning agencies, All Aboard Ohio announced today. A freshman lawmaker from Lorain, Sutton successfully secured $350,000 for a West Shore Corridor rail/bus transit alternatives analysis as part of the House of Representatives' Fiscal Year 2008 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill.

The funding will allow a consultant to be hired to seek public input to develop a range of proposed rail and bus transit options from Cleveland to Lorain. The analysis will determine potential ridership and revenues, capital and operating costs, station-area land uses, train horn Quiet Zones, safety enhancements and other impacts of those options. Local public officials would then be in a position to select a preferred option and pursue funding for implementation.

“We’re excited about the possibility of commuter rail and this is another step in that direction,” Lakewood Mayor Tom George said. “Commuter rail is an excellent fit for Lakewood, the western communities and the region. At this time of high energy prices, alternative forms of transportation are on the cutting edge of our community discussions."

Read more about the West Shore Corridor project.

Read the full press release from All Aboard Ohio about the federal funding.