The Federal Railroad Administration has selected four routes serving multiple states, including Illinois, as priorities for Amtrak expansion, Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown of Ohio said Tuesday.
The routes are Cleveland-Columbus-Dayton-Cincinnati, Cleveland-Toledo-Detroit, Chicago-Fort Wayne-Columbus-Pittsburgh and the Cardinal Service serving New York City, Washington and Chicago, which would go daily from its current thrice-weekly schedule, Brown said in a news release.
Ohio, Amtrak and metropolitan planning organizations will now begin corridor development efforts including the preparation of service development plans, Brown said.
The railroad administration will provide $500,000 to each corridor for planning, he said.
“Good Amtrak service shouldn’t be a privilege only for people on the coasts. These new routes would expand opportunity, help grow businesses and create jobs, and connect communities in Ohio and across the Midwest," Brown said.
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