Ohio takes a step toward possible Amtrak passenger rail expansion

Ohio took the formal step of signaling interest in expanding Amtrak passenger rail in the state, though it is far from saying yes to the idea.

Gov. Mike Dewine has asked the Ohio Rail Development Commission to work with Amtrak to study potential new routes, according to Dan Tierney, a spokesperson for the governor’s office . It was first reported by Cleveland.com.

“It’s not to the point where we’re ready to go jump up and ‘yippee’, but it’s significant and we’re optimistic,” said Stu Nicholson with All Aboard Ohio, an advocacy group for rail.

Amtrak wants to construct a new line connecting Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton and Cincinnati. The company agreed to cover the cost of construction, track upgrades and operating costs for at least five years, then split the estimated $17 million to $20 million annual operating costs with the state.

The roughly $100 million cost to build the line would come from a massive infrastructure package Congress passed into law. The approach could better entice Ohio to expand rail given much of the upfront cost will be covered, advocates said. Nicholson added that recent guidance allows the state to use other sources outside its general revenue, such as private grants, to go toward its share.

In working with Amtrak, the state will be identifying corridors to best place lines, assessing what costs would actually be, looking at environmental impacts and seeing what the infrastructural needs are.

A report detailing those findings could take eight months to a year. Around then, Ohio will decide whether to financially commit to having Amtrak in the state, said Nicholson. The Federal Railroad Administration said it will begin asking for proposals at the end of the year.

But don’t expect rail lines to then immediately start popping up and running; it could take a couple more years even if Ohio says yes.

“This is a process,” Nicholson said. Titus Wu is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

PROVIDED BY AMTRAK A closer look at the Ohio portion of a map that Amtrak released March 31. The map shows where Amtrak could expand service if it gets $80 billion in federal aid. The dark lines show Amtrak’s national network. The light lines show where there would be new service or possible new service.

SANDRA J. MILBURN/THE HUTCHINSON NEWS A BNSF train pulls past the Amtrak train station in Hutchinson, Kansas, on April 11. Amtrak wants to construct a new line connecting Columbus, Cleveland, Dayton and Cincinnati.