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Politicians discuss high-speed rail proposal
YOUNGSTOWN — The potential of high speed passenger trains becoming a reality in the Valley was discussed by U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, Mayor Jay Williams, Mayor Michael O’Brien of Warren and members of the Ohio Rail Commission during a press conference at 11 a.m. today.
The project is part of the Ohio Hub which has been in motion since 2000, said Matthew Dietrich, executive director of ORDC.
Five or six stops would be included in the rail service from Cleveland to Pittsburgh, including Youngstown and Warren. The high speed trains would travel at approximately 110 mph and could accommodate about 300 passengers, said Don Damron, ORDC passenger rail planning manager.
“We are moving forward and pursuing this,” said Ryan of Niles, D-17th, even though Ohio will have to compete with other states for federal funding for the $650 million project.
Trains hustling through Youngstown is an exciting idea, said Williams, who thinks this project would introduce more people to the life style of Youngstown. For more on this story, see Thursday’s Vindicator or vindy.com
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Comments
My hat's off to Ryan, Williams, and O’Brien on this one.
We should all really focus on this project, with all haste, energy, and resources available.
A high-speed rail system would bind the Cleveland/Youngstown/Pittsburgh business corridor together.
And, save the area from further decay.
"Full speed ahead!"
This is a must and could end up serving was one of the of highest returns on investment for our community in the short as well as long term - from econ development, affordable housing marketing, general marketing, downtown central business district development, reverse economic migration, to even collaborative research development among universities in fields such and biotechnology which Congressman Ryan is strongly advocating. As mentioned in the article, we will be competing with a number of other areas for the dollars, therefore, such an initiative will obviously require a very focused and aggressive lobbying effort from the civic and business communities, YSU, and city and county officials. This one cannot be placed on a back burner. The sooner we have the rail, the sooner we can continue aggressive revitalization initiatives that are already being discussed/some planned. Full steam ahead, indeed.
Phil Kidd
City of Yo
Yeah, it would bind the three. Good high paying jobs in Cleveland and Pittsburgh, a bedroom community in Youngstown. Wait isn't that how it is now?
If nothing else this would represent an opportunity for Y-town area residents to commute with greater ease to where the jobs are: Cleveland and Pittsburgh. More people working means increased income taxes for Valley municipalities and someday more jobs in the Valley itself. I'm curious about how the funding competition between states works out as well as what happens if either OH or PA secures funding and the other state doesn't.
I agree with Phil-I've always thought this would be the best thing for Youngstown-the affordable housing here and ample parks could be very attractive to workers in the bigger cities.
I would not hold my breath on the rail system. Probably another false hope for the Valley, i.e.: Avanti, the Blimp Plant, return of the steel industry, indoor Nascar, LPGA returning, respectable politicians, etc.
I'm all for this, I would love to take a high speed train to Pittsburgh or Cleveland. It would make a commute to a broader employment market a reality for me.
If you want to see how many people from Youngstown work in Cleveland or Pittsburgh already, all you have to do is count cars at the Ohio Turnpike Interchange between 6:00AM to 8:00AM. There's a mass exodus every morning, Monday through Friday. I happen to be one of them. But I wish I didn't have to be. And, it's not likely to change very soon.
This is one of the best opportunities for economic development that the area has seen in awhile. Transit Oriented Development (TOD) has proven to successfully turn around declining areas within a vicinity of the transportation stop. Should the area receive the funding, TOD should be pushed! It could dramatically change the area for the better. Write to your local congressmen as well as members on the Finance Committee about the importance of this train line. Area residents cannot let this opportunity slip away. Speak up and be heard!
I'm game--who should I write to? Would this be house or senate finance? Could someone start a petition like Tyler did for the Stambaugh Building?