Unraveling the Mystery: Proposed Routes Missing in Southeast Ohio

Expanding passenger rail in Southeast Ohio presents unique challenges, primarily due to the lack of existing rail infrastructure in the region. Southeast Ohio's rail lines were largely abandoned as the area's economic focus shifted away from industries reliant on rail transport. Much of the rail infrastructure that once existed has been converted into recreational trails through the Rails-to-Trails program and similar initiatives. This conversion has left Southeast Ohio without the necessary freight rail lines that could be repurposed or shared with passenger rail, making the region more expensive and technically complex for new rail corridors identified in studies by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA).

As a result, the FRA Corridor ID and Long Distance Study have overlooked this region in favor of areas with existing rail infrastructure that can be upgraded more easily. The emphasis has been on corridors where passenger rail could operate on or alongside existing freight lines and augment existing Amtrak service within their network.

However, the door is not shut on Southeast Ohio. The potential for Amtrak Thruway Service to connect Southeast Ohio to existing and future rail networks could offer a practical solution. Amtrak Thruway buses could provide connections from towns in Southeast Ohio to nearby rail hubs, linking residents and travelers to the broader Amtrak network. This approach would allow the region to benefit from passenger rail connections without the need for significant new rail infrastructure investments. Thruway Service could provide Southeast Ohio with the connectivity it needs, helping to support the region’s economic growth and offering residents a viable alternative to car travel.