Columbus was just announced as a priority for two of four key Amtrak routes in Ohio. The Federal Railroad Administration will spend $1 million studying two routes that include Columbus for developmental efforts. It also puts them on a short list for some of the $2.4 billion in Amtrak expansion funds.
The two Columbus corridors include:
- Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati, the 3C+D corridor
- Chicago-Fort Wayne-Columbus-Pittsburgh, the Midwest Connect corridor via Lima, Kenton, Marysville, Columbus, Newark, Coshocton, Newcomerstown, Uhrichsville, and Steubenville in Ohio
Additionally, two other Ohio corridors will receive funding:
- Cleveland-Toledo-Detroit
- Daily Cardinal Service, increasing service frequency from three days per week to daily on Amtrak’s current service to Cincinnati between New York City, Washington, DC and Chicago, IL via the States of Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois
“Today’s announcement is a great first step toward expanding Amtrak in Ohio,” said US Senator for Ohio Sherrod Brown in a release. “These new routes would expand opportunity, help grow businesses and create jobs, and connect communities in Ohio and across the Midwest.”
Catch up on the year-long journey of Amtrak in Ohio here.
