Explanation
Title
To support the Ohio Hub and Passenger and Freight Rail Development.
Body
WHEREAS, the Ohio Rail Development Commission and the Ohio Department of Transportation have completed a feasibility analysis of a regional passenger rail system and increased freight rail capacity in Ohio; and
WHEREAS, the study concludes that the Ohio Hub would strengthen Ohio's competitiveness by improving the State's position as a strategic distribution and logistics center; slowing traffic congestion; increasing the reliability of energy-efficient rail operations and instituting modern passenger rail service as an integral part of a comprehensive national passenger rail network; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Hub breaks from the long-standing Amtrak model by suggesting a policy that invests in the nation's railroads to achieve broad public benefits, generating significant economic development activity in Columbus and other Ohio cities; and
WHEREAS, investing in high-speed passenger rail service and improved freight rail capacity would create thousands of new construction jobs, both permanent railroad operating and indirect jobs; will increase demand for U.S. manufactured materials and supplies including concrete and steel, and would provide more energy-efficient transportation options for moving people and freight; and
WHEREAS, the proposed Ohio Hub improvements would increase capacity for America's growing volumes of freight, remove railroad bottlenecks and improve operational fluidity while having a positive affect on highway capacity and congestion, shipping rates and business expansion; and
WHEREAS, each local passenger rail station location will have the potential to capture millions of dollars of investments in commercial, office and residential development in transportation opportunity districts and as rail-oriented development projects; and
WHEREAS, the Ohio Hub study concludes that high-speed passenger rail is feasible and wi...
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