By Cornelius Frolik
Source: Springfield News-Sun, Ohio (TNS)
Jan. 11: The proposed new passenger rail service connecting Dayton to Ohio’s largest cities could inject millions of dollars into the regional economy annually and serve thousands of riders across the state, according to estimates from a study shared with network members and local authorities. officials on Thursday.
But the vision of an intercity school serving Gem City and Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati is still a long way off, and making it a reality will require a lot of work, planning, research, and advocacy.
“It would link our cities, our communities and our people to transportation functions and provide many benefits, such as labor mobility, attracting businesses. . . and more economic progress and jobs in Ohio,” said Erin Rosiello, president of All Aboard. Ohio, who grew up in Dayton.
Leaders and members of a nonprofit called All Aboard Ohio traveled to Dayton on Thursday as part of a “stop tour. “
The organization, which focuses on passenger rail transportation in the state, holds network meetings primarily in Ohio’s largest metropolitan spaces to share data on efforts to examine new and expanded passenger rail service.
Dozens of community members, local elected leaders, planners and other officials attended the event.
Last month, the Federal Railroad Administration announced it has identified four potential routes in Ohio for passenger rail expansion.
The firm awarded $500,000 in federal grants for the routes, the first step in a three-step procedure to examine and plan for new and improved service.
One proposed direction would link Ohio’s four largest metropolitan areas: Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati.
The line, known as Dayton’s 3-C corridor, would have a stop in Dayton and Springfield.
In the greater Dayton region, the 3-C+Dayton route could have an annual economic impact of between $4.9 million and $9 million, according to a study by Scioto Analysis that was completed for All Aboard Ohio.
The new service could have an annual ridership of between 91,000 and 184,000 people in the Dayton metro area alone, according to the study.
The total number of annual passengers, in all metropolitan areas, can range from 407,000 to 820,000 customers. All Aboard Ohio says these are very conservative estimates. They didn’t give any kind of breakdown between projected or weekly travelers and once- or twice-yearly travelers.
Part of the selling point for the new 3-C D Room is that it would create tasks, expand transportation options, and employee mobility, thereby better connecting Ohioans to task opportunities.
The $500,000 grant for Corridor 3-C D is the first step in a process to generate development blueprints and survey data on a new address and service.
“We are at the very beginning of step 1,” said John Easterly, executive director of All Aboard Ohio. “This first step is really the plan for the plan.”
The second step likely would look at what existing freight lines would be used, where the stations and stops would be and how many trains would operate each day, Easterly said.
Ohio already has 5,000 miles of existing railroad tracks and passenger service would be added to existing infrastructure, though innovations would be needed, advocates said.
Easterly said the plan-making procedure is designed based on how the new passenger rail service would work, estimates of potential ridership and revenue, and what the prices might be for the general public, sponsors and partners.
“At the end of this three-stage process, we will have a very clear vision of what it will look like economically and what it will look like in terms of the impact it will have. have in Ohioans,” he said.
The planning process can also take years, and if the 3-C D ward comes to fruition, it may not begin operating and servicing until about 2030, All Aboard Ohio said.
The initial investment in the new highway could be between $21 million and $27 million in the Dayton metropolitan area, Scioto Analysis said.
The initial investment in all targeted communities can contribute about $107 million to Ohio’s gross state product, with an ongoing annual economic contribution of $25 million to $47 million, according to the study. Once again, Rosiello called those estimates very conservative.
Dayton City Manager Shelley Dickstein, who attended Thursday’s meeting, said a team has been meeting to discuss the potential 3-C+D corridor project.
He said the Dayton station may be near the site of Dayton’s former Union Station, which is located near downtown Sixth Street. The station was demolished decades ago.
Dayton has had passenger rail service since 1979.
“The station will move to where Union Station used to be,” he said. “I’d like to see the old construction reimagined or incorporated into the new design. “
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