The state has the chance to apply for a piece of $2.3 billion in federal funding to improve and expand Amtrak service.

With $2.3 billion in federal funding for passenger train service on the line, it remains unclear whether the state of Ohio will apply for a portion of the money. According to an article by Susan Glaser of Cleveland.com in Governing, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine “is awaiting answers to several key questions before making a decision about whether to seek federal money for expanded Amtrak service in the state.”
The governor wants to know how many new riders the service could get, the speed of the trains, how new passenger service would interact with existing freight service, and how much state funding would be required.
As Glaser explains, “This $2.3 billion is the first available for expanded intercity passenger rail service, part of a program to bring new routes to areas of the country that are underserved by train transportation.”
Ohio residents currently have limited access to intercity trains. Glaser notes, “There hasn’t been passenger rail service between Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati since the early 1970s.” This route was recently identified as a top priority by Amtrak. “Twelve years ago, under former Gov. Ted Strickland, the state received $400 million in federal funding to launch the 3-C route. Shortly after taking office, however, newly elected Gov. John Kasich famously returned the money to Washington because he was opposed to state support for passenger rail service.”
FULL STORY: With Amtrak Funds Now Available, Will Ohio Expand Rail Service?

New York Governor Advances Housing Plan Amid Stiff Suburban Opposition
Governor Kathy Hochul’s ambitious proposal to create more housing has once again run into a brick wall of opposition in New York’s enormous suburbs, especially on Long Island. This year, however, the wall may have some cracks.

A Serious Critique of Congestion Costs and Induced Vehicle Travel Impacts
Some highway advocates continue to claim that roadway expansions are justified to reduce traffic congestion. That's not what the research shows. It's time to stop obsessing over congestion and instead strive for efficient accessibility.

Rethinking the Role of Parking in the American City
In cities big and small, the tide is turning against sprawling parking lots, car-centric development, and minimum parking mandates.

Mapping Sidewalks for Improved Connectivity
A new tool uses aerial image recognition to map a city’s sidewalks and crosswalks. Its developers hope it will aid in creating a more comprehensive understanding of pedestrian networks and where improvements are needed.

Long Beach Residents Oppose Proposed Homeless Services Hub Near Rail Terminus
L.A. Metro’s “end-of-the-line” policy forces people experiencing homeless off transit every night at the same time and location. A proposed hub would provide services a few stops before the end of the line in Long Beach.

The Nation's Most Advanced Secessionist Movement
Legislation supporting the Greater Idaho Movement, which would annex over half of neighboring Oregon, has advanced in the Idaho legislature.
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City of Greenville
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HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
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