Ohio Congress members seek Lake Erie high speed rail corridor

Plain Dealer ^ | 2/11/11 | Sabrina Eaton

[Pontiac]

Ohio may yet get on track with President Obama's newly announced $53 billion initiative to build a nationwide high speed rail network.

A bipartisan group of northern Ohio Congress members met Thursday with Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to discuss building a high speed rail line along Lake Erie that would link Cleveland with Chicago, Detroit, Toledo and Buffalo, and also include routes to Youngstown and Pittsburgh. Building a line along the lake is a top tier part of Obama's rail program.

Bainbridge Township GOP Rep. Steve LaTourette said he plans to work with Republicans and Democrats from Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan "to see if there's a way we can help restore some of what the President's vision is on high speed rail in our part of the world."

"If we can go to him with a proposal that doesn't cripple Ohio's general fund and puts people to work and moves us into the 21st century when it comes to passenger rail, I'm sure he'll listen to us," LaTourette said of Kasich.

[MIchaelTArchangel]

That rail line will be like all other rail lines and roads along Lake Erie. Every spring it will require a huge amount of maintenance and/or a severe cut in speed because of the instability of the rail bed.

[NRG1973]

Absolutely correct!!! One other thing worth considering is that our population growth is practically nil (except for ~1% immigrants). So, its not like we are going to need to transport a growing population.

If the politicians feel a need for "shovel ready" projects, they can rebuild our roads and airports...we will always need them.

[BobL]

LOL. If the people of Ohio think that a high-speed rail line is good idea, more power to them. However, don’t make me, here in Texas, pay for it unless you can show it is either in the national interest or will pay for itself - which can NEVER be done with schemes like that.

So if those guys REALLY want it, they can increase their income tax by 40% and pay for it themselves. I have no issue with that here in Texas.

[Tanniker Smith]

There is now a train that runs from NYC to Atlantic City. I believe it's an express train, or there might just be some express trains on the schedule.

In any event, I could get a bus leaving from someone in my area (or drive myself, if I had to) and get there in about two hours.

To get there by train? An hour or so subway ride to get to the Penn Station and another 3 hours by rail.

The big deal about this "express" train was that you no longer had to switch trains in Philadelphia. What they don't tell you is YOU STILL HAVE TO GO THROUGH PHILADELPHIA!

IOW, the train isn't going where I need it to go!

[NRG1973]

LOL. If the people of Ohio think that a high-speed rail line is good idea, more power to them. However, don’t make me, here in Texas, pay for it unless you can show it is either in the national interest or will pay for itself - which can NEVER be done with schemes like that.

Good point!!! With reapportionment, Ohio has lost 4 electoral votes (and the population that goes with it) while Texas has gained 4 electoral votes. If we are going to be spending $$$ for transportaion infrastucture maybe we should do so in Texas. :)

[Publius]

You go through Philadelphia because the Jersey Central line from Jersey City to Atlantic City was ripped out during the Depression.

[NRG1973]

There is now a train that runs from NYC to Atlantic City. I believe it's an express train, or there might just be some express trains on the schedule.

In any event, I could get a bus leaving from someone in my area (or drive myself, if I had to) and get there in about two hours.

To get there by train? An hour or so subway ride to get to the Penn Station and another 3 hours by rail.

Don't forget to arrive at Penn Station about an hour-and-a-half early so that Big Sis's unionized TSA can pat you down.

[RobbyS]

Well, it would make sense in the east coast, except that it is so built up that getting right-of-way for the rails would be a nightmare. The Germans have always had government owned railways, but even with the increasing cost of driving by car, the proportion of people traveling by rail has continuously gone down.

[Publius]

The TSA does not pat down train riders — yet.

[Crim]

And dont forget...when the Govt owns the means of transport..the govt can shut it down in a heartbeat.

[Mason]

Maybe LaTourette should represent Gary, IN.

[NRG1973]

The TSA does not pat down train riders — yet.

Think of all the union jobs it would create if they did pat down train riders.

[sergeantdave]

The gangbangers train. Bums first, then hos and fat socialist mayors to the rear. ALL ABOARD! The road to perdition is straightaway.

[G Larry]

Why do they call it “high speed” when it’s averaging 30mph, given all of the stops?

[Fester Chugabrew]

The first transcontinental railroad counted on government funding. We also count on it for roads. That is to say, if the idea is feasible in terms of productivity, yet of a larger scale than typical for private industry . . . there may be a place for it.

Just sayin’. I'd rather see taxpayer dime go toward something like this (if only it can be done with strict accountability), than for all the freaking socialist, union, welfare BS we've grown accustomed to supporting. What kills me is all the waste and corruption connected with this kind of spending. We could get a better railroad at half the price of it weren't for government involvement, regulations, etc.

[Las Vegas Dave]

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[Fester Chugabrew]

We oughta be at the forefront on this kind of thing. A subsurface transportation system that gets one from one coast to another in an hour. NMST (Nuclear Magnetic Subterranean Transportation). The kids’ll do it. Just watch.

[Fester Chugabrew]

What we are spending in space we ought to be spending going into the ground. It’s naturally warm and cozy down there, at least to some degree. There’s earl down there, too!

[Mikey_1962]

Did you know that what is called “high speed” for trains now in the USA is about 10mph slower than what was called high speed for trains in the 19th century?

[Mikey_1962]

Did you know that what is called “high speed” for trains now in the USA is about 10mph slower than what was called high speed for trains in the 19th century?