Ohio is moving closer to expanding its passenger rail network.
The Ohio Rail Development Commission recently sent Phase 1 Corridor ID draft reports to the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) for review.
These reports cover the Cincinnati-Dayton-Columbus-Cleveland and Cleveland-Toledo-Detroit corridors and include scope, schedule, and cost estimates for creating a Service Development Plan for new rail service. This step is essential for securing federal funding for the next phase of the project.
Phase 1 and What Comes Next
Phase 1 represents the first stage of a two-phase plan to bring new train service to Ohio. Once the FRA approves the reports, the state could receive millions in federal funding to develop Phase 2, which will outline operational service.
According to All Aboard Ohio, the Cincinnati-Dayton-Columbus-Cleveland line alone is projected to create 1,100 jobs and add over $100 million to Ohio’s economy. Once operational, the line could generate up to $47 million in annual economic impact.
The timeline for Phase 2 remains unclear, as federal grant awards for similar projects have historically ranged from one to eight months. Corridor ID, the federal program behind the effort, was created through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to support state passenger rail projects that meet federal criteria.
Strong Public Support for Rail and Transit
Ohioans are excited about the prospect of expanded rail service. The 2024 Ohio Department of Transportation Transportation Preference Survey shows that 78.4 percent of respondents consider enhancing the state’s rail network to be important or higher.
Public transit improvements also received strong support, with more than 80 percent of residents rating them as important or higher.
“These findings confirm what communities and advocates have been saying for years. Ohioans want more and better passenger rail and transit options,” said Mitch Radakovich, chair of All Aboard Ohio. “Investments in modern, connected rail and transit systems are about more than mobility. They are about economic growth, resiliency, and quality of life.”
Planning for the Future
ODOT’s survey is part of the Ohio Moves Transportation Study, which seeks to align state planning with resident priorities across roads, bridges, transit, biking, and emerging mobility technologies.
With strong public support and potential federal funding, Ohio’s passenger rail network could soon connect communities in new ways.
Featured image by Tim Wildsmith on Unsplash.
