Ohio Eyes Amtrak Expansion, Seeks Federal Research Funding

The Ohio Railroad Development Commission announced Wednesday that Ohio will apply for $1 million in federal funds to study Amtrak expansion in the state.

Federal dollars will be used to study how two potential new rail corridors connected to Cleveland and Cincinnati, which already serve Amtrak to other states, can operate and benefit Ohio residents. One corridor will pass through Cleveland, Toledo and Detroit; the other will connect Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati.

BIDEN CELEBRATES AND IS PREPARING FOR AMTRAK EXPANSION DESPITE DECADES OF RECYCLING AND POOR SERVICE

But there is still a long way to go. Raising funds is “a first step for many,” Republican Gov. Mike DeWine said in a press release. He noted that there are still many questions to be answered about how such an expansion will affect the state.

The state of Ohio has requested $1 million in federal funding to explore options for expanding its Amtrak systems.

Advocacy for expanding passenger rail service in Ohio has failed in recent years. In 2011, the then governor. John Keysich was among several Republican governors who withdrew federal funds previously agreed to by their Democratic or independent predecessors for such an expansion.

AMTRAK CANCELS LONG RANGE TRAINS, ANNOUNCES OTHER SCHEDULE CHANGES AS RAILWAYS GO ON STRIKE

Democratic Senator Sherrod Brown, in a statement Wednesday, said he welcomed the initiative to explore the opportunity again and that the Amtrak expansion “will transform our state’s economy and improve mobility for all Ohioans.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

If Ohio’s bid is successful, the Federal Railroad Administration will provide $500,000 for each new corridor. This would allow ORDC to bring in a consultant to help draw up a plan with information such as passenger traffic, operating costs, tracking improvements, and how much money the state would need to contribute to launch the additional service.