In light of the weekend derailment of a train carrying toxic chemicals in East Palestine Ohio, Governor Mike DeWine says his administration will discuss whether steps need to be taken to improve the state's over 5,100 miles of rail lines.
Thousands of residents were forced to evacuate as five cars carrying toxic vinyl chloride were exposed to the fire and threatened to explode.
Although monitoring railroads is primarily a federal job, Dewine says the high volume of feight traffic in Ohio raises concerns about safety. He say his team will await the results of the National Transportation Safety Board investigation before taking any action.
At the same time, the state is taking the first steps to add new passenger rail lines for the first time in decades.
Ohio is applying for federal money from the Federal Railroad Commission to fund a feasibility study for new passenger lines. The 3C+D corridor would connect Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus and Cleveland. A second line under consideration would link Cleveland, Toledo, and Detroit.
A $500,000 grant would pay for a consultant and a "scope of work" plan to consider track conditions, operating costs and predicted ridership. Democratic U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown said he applauds the move to study the possibility of expansion and says it "could transform our state’s economy and improve mobility for all Ohioans".
Costs to build the lines could come from the federal infrastructure act. Application is due by the end of March.
