Ohio Studies High Speed Rail...Again

This is one we should have done a long time ago. Hopefully we get it right this time.

The Ohio Rail Development Commission kicked off two studies recently to determine the impact and feasibility of passenger rail service in the state.

The first study will examine what effects passenger rail would have on Ohio's economy. The commission estimates the system would create 1,500 permanent railroad jobs and stimulate 6,000 more jobs as development springs up around rail stations and communities served by trains.

The commission also believes the easier transport of passengers would spur further economic development around the state.

That study is being funded through $500,000 in the commission's budget. One portion of that study is being conducted by Transportation Economic & Management Systems Inc. of Frederick, Md., which served as the original consultant developing the Ohio Hub plan. A parallel study will be conducted by Sam Staley, a professor and former director at the conservative Buckeye Institute for Public Policy Solutions.

Read more here.