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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                           Contact: Stu Nicholson

Date: October 21, 2005                                                                              (614)644-0513 

                                   

Economic Impact Study of Ohio Hub

Rail Plan Gets “Clear Track” to Proceed

 

(Columbus) – Ohio’s plan to greatly expand both passenger rail service and increase rail freight capacity got a green light from members of the State Controlling Board this afternoon.  Board members approved a request from the Ohio Rail Development Commission (ORDC) to fund a Detail Economic Impact Study (DEIS) of the Ohio Hub regional rail plan. The plan will take about ten months to one year to complete.

 

“We want to thank the members of the State Controlling Board for allowing us to move ahead with this important stage of the Ohio Hub Plan”, says ORDC Executive Director Jim Seney.

 

Known more formally as the Ohio & Lake Erie Regional Rail / Ohio Hub Plan, its preliminary economic impact numbers are very encouraging for both economic development and the creation of thousands of new jobs.  At least 6,000 construction jobs alone could be created just to build the system.

 

“But we really need to explore and refine these numbers in greater detail”, says ORDC’s Seney, “in order to get a clearer picture of what segments of Ohio’s economy, what Ohio communities and even what businesses stand to benefit from the Ohio Hub Plan... and by how much.”  Seney says the results of this plan should serve to drive the Ohio Hub into its next and most important stage: an environmental impact study (EIS).  “If we can complete these two studies”, says Seney, “the Ohio Hub Plan can become an officially recognized federal transportation project that must be built.”

When completely built out, the Ohio Hub System will encompass over 860 miles of track, with fast, frequent daylight and evening passenger trains in up to six Ohio corridors.  But it would also connect to major international business centers and airports in cities like Chicago, Toronto, Detroit and Pittsburgh.  The plan would also greatly expand capacity for moving more freight by rail.

 

“By moving both people and freight faster”, says Seney, “we will also make Ohio’s already strategic location even more attractive to do business and create good jobs. Members of the Controlling Board should be congratulated for helping us take a major step toward this goal.”

 

Both the Executive Summary and full report of the Ohio Hub Plan can be viewed at the ORDC website: http://www.dot.state.oh.us/ohiorail/

 

 

(The Ohio Rail Development Commission is an independent agency operating within the Ohio Department of Transportation.  ORDC is responsible for economic development through the improvement and expansion of passenger and freight rail service, railroad grade crossing safety and rail travel & tourism issues. For more information about what ORDC does for Ohio, visit our website at http://www.dot.state.oh.us/ohiorail/