Ohio eyes Amtrak expansion, seeks federal funding for research

close

Video

Fox News Flash top headlines for February 8

Fox News Flash top headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com.

Ohio will apply for $1 million in federal funds to explore Amtrak expansion in the state, the Ohio Rail Development Commission announced Wednesday.

The federal dollars would go toward studying how two potential new rail corridors tied to Cleveland and Cincinnati — which already have Amtrak service to other states — could work and benefit Ohioans. One corridor would be through Cleveland, Toledo and Detroit; the other would connect Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton and Cincinnati.

BIDEN CELEBRATES AND PREPARES TO EXPAND AMTRAK DESPITE DECADES OF COST OVERRUNS AND BAD SERVICE

But there’s still a long way to go. Getting the funds is the "first step of many," Republican Gov. Mike DeWine said in a press release. He noted a lot of questions still need to be answered on how such an expansion would impact the state.

The state of Ohio has requested $1 million in federal funds to explore options for expanding its Amtrak systems.

Advocacy for more passenger rail service in Ohio in recent years hasn't been fruitful. In 2011, then-Gov. John Kasich was among a few Republican governors who turned down federal funds that had been previously agreed to by their Democratic or independent predecessors for such expansion.

AMTRAK CANCELS LONG DISTANCE TRAINS, ANNOUNCES OTHER SCHEDULE ADJUSTMENTS AS RAIL STRIKE LOOMS

A statement Wednesday from Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown said he applauds the move to study the possibility again, and that Amtrak expansion would "transform our state’s economy and improve mobility for all Ohioans."

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Should Ohio's application succeed, the Federal Railroad Administration would provide $500,000 per new corridor. That would allow the ORDC to bring on a consultant to help create a plan with information such as ridership, operating costs, track improvements and how much money the state would have to contribute to get the additional service started.