High Speed Rail coming to area in 10 years
WYTV reports that the way has been paved for high speed rail to come through Youngstown in a Pittsburgh to Cleveland route.
On Thursday, October 29, a meeting will be held to advance this proposal for the Youngstown area. Contact the Chamber of Commerce to register for the luncheon meeting (cost $15).
High speed, or Amtrak speed? (79 MPH).
Congressmen Tim Ryan and Jason Altmire submitted an application to the USDOT to have this travel corridor declared an emerging high-speed rail corridor, making it eligible for federal funds. ODOT/ORDC planning will begin in 2010 for 90-110 mph passenger rail service in the CLE-PIT Corridor.
Maybe the term should be higher-speed.
From WYTV News:
Plans to bring high speed rail service through the Valley are moving on the fast track.
At the end of this year, the Cleveland-Pittsburgh corridor will receive a high speed rail designation. This means the Youngstown area will qualify for federal funds to improve the tracks. The upgrades could also make way for passenger service to start up in the next two years.
Ken Prendergast, All Aboard Ohio, tells us, "There's a long stage planning effort which will start in January that will then set the stage for high speed rail developments, potentially new tracks through Youngstown linking Cleveland and Pittsburgh and also going beyond Cleveland and Pittsburgh."
All Aboard Ohio says it could take up to 10 years to actually bring high speed rail to this area, but receiving the federal designation is the first step.
This is good news...
Youngstown is not only located about halfway from Pitts. to Cleveland,
it's also about halfway between Chicago and New York City. If the commuter
railway DOES materialize, Youngstown could once again become a major
transportation hub.
This could bring some more money into the area...and some jobs along with it
More trains through Lowellville? Do we have trains in Lowellville?
The Erie and P&LE jointly ran trains 28 and 29, the Steel Kings, daily between Pittsburgh and Cleveland. Would be nice to see such a service return.