Central Ohio passenger rail project takes next step forward

COLUMBUS, Ohio ( WCMH )– The Pittsburgh to Columbus to Chicago passenger rail project has taken another step forward by partnering with an engineering consulting firm to assist with planning and design.

“This is actually finally beginning the planning process,” explained the principal planner with the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission Elliott Lewis. “We have the technical experts on board partnering with us to start to look at past plans and set the stage for the planning we will be doing over the next few years.”

Those technical experts are with the national engineering consulting firm HTNB. They were awarded up to $450,000 over the next year. Their work will also establish the scope, schedule, and budget for the remaining planning work for the Midwest Connect passenger rail project.

“We also established a new advisory passenger rail committee here in Central Ohio,” said Lewis. “It’s made up of sector leaders across the community to be that liaison between the study team and other stakeholders within the region.”

The goal to have passengers riding on Midwest Connect, as well as the “Three C” line: Cleveland to Columbus to Cincinnati, is still 2030.

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