From: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/Rail/Programs/passenger/3CisME/Pages/default.aspx
3C Progress Continues with New FRA Report
Ohio is another step closer to establishing 3C "Quick Start" Passenger Rail Service with the release of a draft "Finding of No Significant Impact" (FONSI) by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
The Ohio Department of Transportation today announced that the
FRA agreed with the Environmental Assessment (EA) prepared by ODOT and national rail experts that the Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati 3C "Quick Start" Passenger Rail Service would have no significant impact on the environment.
The EA was conducted last year as part of a grant competition for federal stimulus funds made available for rail projects across the country from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). FRA announced last winter that Ohio won a $400 million grant for 3C as a result of its strong plan.
Ohio is moving forward with phase 2 of the effort now, which will complete more detailed environmental analysis and engineering design around train stations and along the track, and conduct initial freight railroad negotiations.
Later expenditures, to be authorized by the Ohio State Controlling Board, will pay for vehicle purchases, station construction and upgrades to existing freight train lines and signals. All of these steps are necessary to bring intercity passenger rail service to Ohioans.
Complete Reports Available
The FONSI and EA are available online at 3CisMe.ohio.gov and
at libraries, ODOT district offices and local metropolitan planning organizations along the 3C route including:
Cincinnati Public Library
Clark County Public Library
Cleveland Public Library
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Dayton Metro Library
Clark County-Springfield Transportation Study (CCSTS)
Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC)
Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC)
Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA)
Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana (OKI) Regional Council of Governments
Richland County Regional Planning Commission (RCRPC)
We Want to Hear from You
Comments on the FONSI will be accepted until December 3, 2010, either online at 3CisMe.ohio.gov or by mail to:
3C Project Comments
Parsons Brinckerhoff
312 Elm Street, Suite 2500
Cincinnati, OH 45202
What's Next
With the issuance of the FONSI, the initial National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) phase of project development is complete. All environmental commitments in the EA and FONSI will be followed. ODOT will host public meetings before the end of the year to discuss the next steps in detailed studies, documentation and design, and to seek your input on rail stations for start-up service between Cincinnati, Sharonville, Dayton, Riverside, Springfield, Columbus and Cleveland. We will send out meeting announcements as soon as dates and locations are confirmed.
Why 3C
The purpose of reestablishing conventional (up to 79 mph) passenger rail service in the 3C Corridor is to link Ohio's three largest cities - Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland. This will provide convenient travel options for the 220,000 college students located within 10 miles of a 3C station as well as the 6 million people who live along the route.
Additionally, the 3C investment will improve existing freight rails, crossings and signaling systems. Economic development around train stations, as seen in other states with passenger rail, is also anticipated here.
The start-up service will develop the passenger rail market for further development in the future. 3C "Quick Start" will create at least 255 immediate construction jobs and as many 8,000 spin-off jobs. Already, there are at least 225 rail suppliers and vendors in Ohio today that employ more than 26,000 people. This employment base will grow as rail service increases across the country.
Once established, 3C "Quick Start" will allow for future improvements and expansion projects that will move Ohio's intercity passenger rail program toward the FRA's definition of "Emerging High Speed Rail" with top speeds of 90 to 110 mph. Further objectives are to connect the new passenger rail system with major commercial airports; the highway network; local public transportation services; and walkable, bikable communities. This will help relieve congestion on the existing transportation system in a manner sensitive to and protective of Ohio's human and natural resources.
3C Progress Continues with New FRA Report
Ohio is another step closer to establishing 3C "Quick Start" Passenger Rail Service with the release of a draft "Finding of No Significant Impact" (FONSI) by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).
The Ohio Department of Transportation today announced that the
FRA agreed with the Environmental Assessment (EA) prepared by ODOT and national rail experts that the Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati 3C "Quick Start" Passenger Rail Service would have no significant impact on the environment.
The EA was conducted last year as part of a grant competition for federal stimulus funds made available for rail projects across the country from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). FRA announced last winter that Ohio won a $400 million grant for 3C as a result of its strong plan.
Ohio is moving forward with phase 2 of the effort now, which will complete more detailed environmental analysis and engineering design around train stations and along the track, and conduct initial freight railroad negotiations.
Later expenditures, to be authorized by the Ohio State Controlling Board, will pay for vehicle purchases, station construction and upgrades to existing freight train lines and signals. All of these steps are necessary to bring intercity passenger rail service to Ohioans.
Complete Reports Available
The FONSI and EA are available online at 3CisMe.ohio.gov and
at libraries, ODOT district offices and local metropolitan planning organizations along the 3C route including:
Cincinnati Public Library
Clark County Public Library
Cleveland Public Library
Columbus Metropolitan Library
Dayton Metro Library
Clark County-Springfield Transportation Study (CCSTS)
Mid Ohio Regional Planning Commission (MORPC)
Miami Valley Regional Planning Commission (MVRPC)
Northeast Ohio Areawide Coordinating Agency (NOACA)
Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana (OKI) Regional Council of Governments
Richland County Regional Planning Commission (RCRPC)
We Want to Hear from You
Comments on the FONSI will be accepted until December 3, 2010, either online at 3CisMe.ohio.gov or by mail to:
3C Project Comments
Parsons Brinckerhoff
312 Elm Street, Suite 2500
Cincinnati, OH 45202
What's Next
With the issuance of the FONSI, the initial National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) phase of project development is complete. All environmental commitments in the EA and FONSI will be followed. ODOT will host public meetings before the end of the year to discuss the next steps in detailed studies, documentation and design, and to seek your input on rail stations for start-up service between Cincinnati, Sharonville, Dayton, Riverside, Springfield, Columbus and Cleveland. We will send out meeting announcements as soon as dates and locations are confirmed.
Why 3C
The purpose of reestablishing conventional (up to 79 mph) passenger rail service in the 3C Corridor is to link Ohio's three largest cities - Cincinnati, Columbus and Cleveland. This will provide convenient travel options for the 220,000 college students located within 10 miles of a 3C station as well as the 6 million people who live along the route.
Additionally, the 3C investment will improve existing freight rails, crossings and signaling systems. Economic development around train stations, as seen in other states with passenger rail, is also anticipated here.
The start-up service will develop the passenger rail market for further development in the future. 3C "Quick Start" will create at least 255 immediate construction jobs and as many 8,000 spin-off jobs. Already, there are at least 225 rail suppliers and vendors in Ohio today that employ more than 26,000 people. This employment base will grow as rail service increases across the country.
Once established, 3C "Quick Start" will allow for future improvements and expansion projects that will move Ohio's intercity passenger rail program toward the FRA's definition of "Emerging High Speed Rail" with top speeds of 90 to 110 mph. Further objectives are to connect the new passenger rail system with major commercial airports; the highway network; local public transportation services; and walkable, bikable communities. This will help relieve congestion on the existing transportation system in a manner sensitive to and protective of Ohio's human and natural resources.
__________
Ken Prendergast
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org
Executive Director
All Aboard Ohio
12029 Clifton Blvd., Suite 505
Cleveland, OH 44107
(216) 288-4883
kenprendergast@allaboardohio.org
www.allaboardohio.org
