Communities in and around Franklin County want their foot in the door — and a possible stop along the train tracks — should passenger rail come to central Ohio.
That's a big reason the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission created an Ad Hoc Passenger Rail Committee that may help decide where and how future Amtrak lines will run through the region. The new committee is made up of mayors, city managers, city policy wonks and other stakeholders in Franklin County and its immediate neighbors.
MORPC Executive Director William Murdock said the committee's purpose is to prepare for passenger rail and make sure central Ohio is being really competitive to go after the available grants.
"We're looking at those important questions people have. Where should the stations be? What type of service? How does this interact with our communities? So this committee is great because it's going to advise us on the things that are important to central Ohio," Murdock said.
The federal process is considering two routes that run through Columbus, and another two in Ohio. The state’s major metropolitan areas would be connected through the "3C+D corridor," which would run from Cincinnati to Cleveland, stopping at Dayton and Columbus along the way. The other route, called "Midwest Connect," would run from Pittsburgh to Chicago, with stops in Columbus and Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Another route could potentially connect northern Ohio cities, with passenger rail spanning from Cleveland to Toledo to Detroit.
A fourth option being considered is to expand the Amtrak Cardinal Service that runs from D.C. to Chicago through Cincinnati. Right now that runs a few times a week. With the federal funding, it would run daily.
The committee's first meeting on Tuesday was largely organizational. The committee members also got a history lesson and an update to where the Federal Rail Commission's process stands at this moment.
Two proposed passenger rail lines running through Columbus are not a done deal in any sense, but the communities are preparing as if the federal dollars will flow their way.
Dublin Mayor and committee member Chris Amorose Groomes said the idea of passenger rail has moved from "a pipe dream to a day dream," acknowledging any potential start date for passenger rail is closer to reality, but still very far off.
The federal dollars at stake would flow in from the Federal Railroad Administration's Corridor Identification program, which picked the options running through Ohio for further study.
Each line is getting $500,000 to iron out a high-level view of construction and service feasibility. That's step one where Murdock said the role of the committee is to create a service development plan.
That planning will take until the second or third quarter of 2025.
Step two will begin after that and take one to three years to complete. That's when the committee and other entities like All Aboard Ohio and Amtrak will start making major decisions like the exact route, stops, service specifics and what capitol improvements may be needed.
That includes only a 10% local match on federal funds used for studies, designs and other costs.
Step three is much further down the road and would take another one to three years. That's when development of the line, engineering, environmental impact designs and looking into construction services would happen. This step would require a 20% local match on federal dollars.
After that, construction would begin if the state and communities choose to move forward.
Studies estimate the 3C+D corridor alone could create more than 1,000 jobs and generate between $64 and $66 million statewide. Construction costs could be in the billions.
The committee estimates trains could move up to 79 miles per hour in Ohio, but up over 100 miles per hour in other states like Indiana. How quick a train makes it to a destination would depend on the number of stations where it stops and the speed.
Marysville City Manager Terry Emery is the chair of the committee.
Some of the communities came prepared with updates on plans they have to acquire land that could be used for a train stop. Dublin, Hilliard and others are identifying and making plans for land the city already owns or could acquire along the tracks.
"Tying in communities throughout the Columbus region that have rail access is probably one of the most important things we can accomplish," Emery said. "And I think you saw today the excitement that the Hilliard and the Dublins and the Worthingtons and the city of Columbus have with what passenger rail can bring."
Most plans include a stop at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in the Short North.
Emery brought up that Marysville residents might benefit from a stop if residents wishing to go to Columbus or Pittsburgh on the "Midwest Connect" line for sports games. Newark Mayor Jeff Hall specifically mentioned residents would be interested in Pittsburgh Steelers games.
"The most attractive thing for people in Marysville is the simplicity of going from Marysville to Columbus for a dinner for, a sporting event or even for work," Emery said.
On Tuesday, the committee also tried to decide what other stakeholders should be invited to the table. Suggestions were made that representatives from private freight lines or even Ohio Chamber of Commerce CEO Steve Stivers should be invited to future meetings.
The committee decided it will meet quarterly with its next meeting set for Oct. 22.
