Do you support the proposed Ohio Rail (3-C Connector)? (Columbus: construction, costs)

[costello_musicman]

Hello everyone,

We've all been hearing more and more about the proposed passenger rail line that would connect Cleveland-Columbus-Cincinnati.

I was just to what everyone thought about it.

Here is what I know about it:

- It would use FEDERAL stimulus for Transportation for the starting infrastructure costs (which means it is alloted for transportation and can't be used for anything else..i.e. some other state would get it if we don't.)
- Applying for $200 millions - $450 million
- It would used primarily existing freight train rail lines
- It would run twice a day at 79 mph
- Stops are being fought over (for sure Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Cincinnati will be stops)
- Ohio has the highest population in the country not serviced by passenger rail
- Could be up and running as soon as 2011 or 2012
- The three C's all have public meetings this week Sept 15, 16, and 17: All Aboard Ohio (http://www.allaboardohio.org/cms/index.php - broken link)


What does everyone think?

[JR_C]

I'm all for it. But I'm more interested in a Cleveland to Pittsburgh line with a stop in Youngstown.

[J'aimeDesVilles]

Originally Posted by JR_C

I'm all for it. But I'm more interested in a Cleveland to Pittsburgh line with a stop in Youngstown.

I would like to see a Cleveland-Toledo-Detroit line!

[Joe 4520832257]

Generally speaking, YES, I support the 3-C plan.

It's also worth mentioning that the current 3-C plan could be killed by a vote in Cincinnati this November. There is an "anti-streetcar" ballot issue in Cincinnati that would actually prohibit the construction of ANY rail-based transit within Cincinnati city limits without a complicated public vote on funding.

Pragmatically, what this means is that no project in Cincinnati city limits will ever meet the requirements for federal funding. So the 3-C project would have to stop in Westchester or some similar suburb, instead of downtown Cincinnati.

Consequently, If you want to see the complete 3-C project happen as proposed, please tell your friends in Cincinnati to vote AGAINST the "anti-streetcar" ballot question in November's election.

[costello_musicman]

Thanks for the info...I had read the only major opposition is in the Cincy area. But I still can't figure out why it is so strong there...?

[Daytonnatian]

^Cincy's a hotbed for "old-money conservatism"......


Anyways, I'm a huge supporter of 3-C, and if we get this online, it will really take our state to the next level and maybe put us on track to be an "innovative state", like California or Washington.

[rrtechno]

Hopefully the 3-Cs would work so well that they could soon add the T in NWOH also. Right now if I would want to take the train to visit family in Cincy or back home, it is a 23 to 25 hour trip each way - if the trains are running on schedule.

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by costello_musicman

Thanks for the info...I had read the only major opposition is in the Cincy area. But I still can't figure out why it is so strong there...?

Cincinnati refuses to acknowledge the fact that it is, indeed, in Ohio.

[costello_musicman]

Meetings in Columbus Today, Cleveland Tomorrow, and Cincinnati on Thursday.

From the link above: All Aboard Ohio (http://www.allaboardohio.org/cms/index.php - broken link)

I'm mad I won't be able to make the Cleveland one.

[NewToCA]

I always admire enthusiasm, but my background is oriented towards putting together and critically analyzing a business case for investment proposals.

In this case I would begin by asking the following:

- Is there sufficient demand for such as service

- What pricing would be required to make it self supporting after becoming operational

- What considerations would be needed for stations, are we proposing multiple local stations or just a few in each city to expedite people movement

- What are the feeder processes to the stations

- Does it still have sufficient utility if we convert over to electric vehicles over the next couple of decades, at an "equivalent cost" of $1.00 per gallon of gas