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Passenger rail service set for 2012 start

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By William Hershey and Megan Gildow Staff Writer Updated 9:06 PM Thursday, January 28, 2010

COLUMBUS — Construction is expected to start this spring and the first passengers should hear “all aboard” by the fall of 2012 in Springfield, Dayton and three other Ohio cities as big-city passenger rail service returns to the state.

Gov. Ted Strickland got so excited about the $400 million in federal economic stimulus funds to build the passenger rail system that he started singing “I’ve been working on the railroad” when talking with reporters Thursday, Jan. 29.

The so-called 256-mile 3-C passenger rail corridor — for Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati — includes a proposed stop on East Washington Street, near Spring Street in Springfield and two proposed Dayton-area stations. “I’m especially excited for Springfield,” said City Manager Jim Bodenmiller.

“We’re encouraged with news that we will likely be a stop in the very early stages of the program, hopefully on day one.” Having a high-speed passenger rail stop here could be useful for businesses and residents, and bring people from other communities into Springfield, he said.

The state had requested $564 million, but Strickland said the $400 million would be enough for the project. “We asked for money for eight stations and that’s what I’m advancing,” said Matt Dietrich, executive director of the Ohio Rail Development Commission.

An annual state subsidy of up to $17 million will be needed for the system, Strickland said.

The addition of the passenger rail stop in Springfield would also be a boon for Wittenberg University, said Lin Erickson, director of government, corporate and foundation relations. “It’d be fabulous if there was a high-speed train that you can drop your child off at and they’re off to college,” she said. “We have a very large contingent (60 percent) that are from all three of the cities ” she said.

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