Congresswoman Sykes seeks Akron-Canton passenger rail stop in Ohio plans
The Ohio Department of Transportation needs to consider an Akron-Canton passenger rail stop as part of its future planning, U.S. Rep. Emilia Sykes says.
The congresswoman, who serves as vice ranking member on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, sent a letter to Gov. Mike DeWine and ODOT Director Pamela Boratyn "expressing concern" that an Akron-Canton stop wasn't included as part of the 2025 State of Ohio Rail Plan.
The draft was released Aug. 26 and is expected to be finalized Sept. 18.
"The Akron-Canton region is the fourth largest region in Ohio and the only large metropolitan area without a proposed passenger rail line," wrote Sykes, D-Akron, whose district covers all of Summit County and half of Stark County.
"The region offers travel connections through the Akron-Canton Regional Airport, higher education opportunities at five distinct institutions, several health care systems, countless manufacturing companies, and various attractions such as the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the Akron Art Museum, the Akron Zoo, and Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
"Furthermore, the business community, led by the Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance, has united to advocate for the addition of a passenger rail service stop in the region, recognizing the economic benefits and increased connectivity it would bring to the area."
Last year, Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance sent a letter to ODOT expressing its support for passenger rail expansion in the Akron-Canton region.
Amtrak operates a passenger station in Alliance.
Which rail routes are under consideration impacting Ohio?
Under former President Joe Biden's administration, Congress created the Corridor Identification and Development Program to study and potentially build new passenger rail routes.
The Federal Railroad Administration awarded $500,000 each to study four routes in and through Ohio:
- Cincinnati-Dayton-Columbus-Cleveland, also known as the 3C&D, is sponsored by the Ohio Rail Development Commission.
- Cleveland-Toledo-Detroit is sponsored by the Ohio Rail Development Commission.
- Chicago-Fort Wayne-Columbus-Pittsburgh is sponsored by Fort Wayne, Indiana, with assistance from the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission.
- Increasing Amtrak's service to Cincinnati from New York, Washington, D.C., and Chicago from three days a week to daily.
Includes reporting by Statehouse Bureau reporter Jesse Balmert.
By: Canton Repository
Source: Canton Repository