Central Ohio leaders and former U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently met to advance plans for restoring passenger rail to the region, which has been without service since 1979.
LaHood joined the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s Rail Executive Network Roundtable as Columbus prepares to move forward in the Federal Railroad Administration’s Corridor ID Program. The effort could shape routes, stations and position the region for significant federal investment.
MORPC is beginning Service Delivery Plans for the Chicago, Fort Wayne, Columbus and Pittsburgh Corridor — or Midwest Connect — and Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, and Cincinnati — or 3C+D — passenger rail lines this fall. Officials say the projects, combined with potential private-sector opportunities such as Florida’s Brightline, offer Central Ohio a rare chance to act after decades of discussion and planning.
The Central Ohio region is projected to surpass 3 million residents by 2050. Proponents argue that rail will connect workers to jobs, reduce congestion, and stimulate economic development.
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