Rep. Sykes Meets With Akron-Canton Advocacy Alliance To Discuss Need For Amtrak Expansion In Akron-Canton
NORTH CANTON, OH — As part of her continued efforts to advocate for an Amtrak expansion route in the Akron-Canton region, U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) met with business leaders of the Akron-Canton Alliance Thursday to discuss how an Amtrak route would expand opportunities, boost local economies, and create more good-paying jobs in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District.
“An Amtrak route in Akron-Canton would completely transform the region, enabling Northeast Ohioans to be better connected to economic, educational, and healthcare opportunities across the state as well as providing opportunities for growth within our communities,” said Rep. Sykes. “Akron-Canton can’t afford to be left out of the conversation for Amtrak expansion. That’s why today, I spoke with the Akron-Canton Alliance about how we can best position our community to be in consideration for new Amtrak routes. I’ll keep working closely with our local organizations to ensure any Amtrak expansion in our state meets the needs of people in Ohio’s 13th Congressional District.”
In December 2023, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) announced there are four "corridors" being considered by Amtrak for expanded passenger rail service routes/stops and the most applicable to the Akron-Canton region is the proposed 3C+D Corridor. However, the current 3C+D Corridor does not include a stop anywhere in our region and the closest passenger rail options for those in our communities would remain in Cleveland and Alliance.
Rep. Sykes led a bipartisan letter with Reps. Seth Moulton (MA-06), Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Don Bacon (NE-02), and 74 additional House members to House and Senate leadership in October 2023 calling for any upcoming government funding package to include robust funding for Amtrak and its passenger rail services. Without the historic funding for Amtrak and passenger rail services in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA, commonly referred to as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law), any Amtrak expansion in Ohio would not be possible.