Ohio panel seeks comments on state's new rail plan

The Ohio Rail Development Commission is soliciting public opinion on a draft of the 2018 State of Ohio Rail Plan, which is an update of a statewide rail plan issued eight years ago.

The new plan will be used to set Ohio's rail priorities and position the state for future federal rail funding opportunities, commission officials said in the plan's opening remarks.

The 2010 plan was drafted to comply with the federal Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act (PRIIA) of 2008. The new state rail plan will meet PRIIA requirements, but also aims to adhere to the more detailed State Rail Plan Guidance that the Federal Railroad Administration put forth in 2013, commission officials said.

To submit comments via email, contact StateRailPlan@dot.ohio.gov. Comments are due Dec. 14.