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Councilors consider support of rail plan |
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Wednesday, 07 October 2009 |
By WILLIAM LANEY
Managing Editor
In early November, Wapakoneta city elected officials should join the ranks of some key members of an Ohio congressional delegation.
Wapakoneta City Council members heard the first reading of legislation supporting the state’s stimulus funding request to develop Ohio’s 3C “Quick Start” Passenger Rail Plan, joining U.S. Sens. Sherrod Brown, a Democrat, and George Voinovich, a Republican.
“We wanted to show our support for a mass, high-speed transit system,” Wapakoneta Mayor Rodney Metz said after Monday’s meeting. “The state wants to use this to try and leverage funding as well as keep the process moving forward. This all complies with the governor’s plan.”
Gov. Ted Strickland is supporting the Ohio Department of Transportation’s (ODOT) and Ohio Rail Development Commission’s bid for $564 million in federal stimulus money through the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Federal Rail Administration to build a 79-mph, start-up rail service connecting Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati and Dayton. Brown and Voinovich sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Transportation Friday supporting the state’s application.
The mayor said the city’s show of support requires no monetary backing.
“Most of this is to be supported by stimulus money, but the area could benefit because it will require people to operate the system, people to maintain the system and people to construct the rail system,” Metz told the Wapakoneta Daily News. “If it comes, this would help in putting people back to work.”
Metz said municipalities throughout the state are passing the resolution of support.
Ohio’s proposed rail system would be competing with existing train routes in Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin, where officials are hoping to build rail systems for trains that would travel as fast as 110 mph. California officials are hoping to build a system where trains would approach European-like speeds of 200 mph.
ODOT and Ohio Rail Development Commission administrators reported they believe the rail plan is “one of the strongest contenders for stimulus funding” because of public and private sector support.
“The 3C Corridor is Ohio’s premier intercity passenger rail corridor that touches 60 percent of all Ohioans (approximately 6 million) who live within 15 miles of the corridor,” ODOT Director Jolene Molitoris said. “The corridor is tailor-made for short distance service, and it is one of the best opportunities anywhere in the nation to bring this type of travel choice to those who currently do not have it.”
The resolution read to councilors cites that a modern transportation system “will enhance the quality of life for those in its proximity, revitalize our cities and boost the economic development and growth potential of the region.” The resolution also states that Ohio and national leaders must take “bold, effective action” by investing in the nation’s rail system.
“Development of passenger rail along the 3C Corridor not only creates jobs, it spurs economic development in our urban cities,” Ohio Department of Development Director Lisa Patt-McDaniel said in a news release. “Linking Ohio’s downtown areas encourages travel to and within our state, allowing people to easily shop in our stores, eat at local restaurants and explore downtown entertainment — both as visitors and as residents on their way to and from work, school and home.”
A March 2009 Quinnipiac University poll shows 64 percent of Ohioans want passenger rail service and 73 percent of Ohioans between the ages of 18 and 35 support the plan.
The proposal plans for as many as four trains running daily in each direction “offering fares and travel times that are competitive with other forms of transportation” along the corridor.
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 08 October 2009 )
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