Ohio
Support for passenger rail is picking up speed in Ohio. But there’s still far to go
It’s been nearly six decades since Ohio’s biggest cities were connected by passenger rail. But, thanks to planning grants from the Federal Railroad Association, there’s hope it could happen once again.
Ohio was among 44 other states to receive money from the federal government to plan new rail corridors across the state – including one that would transform Cincinnati, Columbus, Cleveland and Dayton into hubs of Amtrak service. Four Ohio routes were chosen as priorities for expanded passenger rail.
John Esterly, from All Aboard Ohio, a nonprofit that advocates for increased transportation choices in the state, said the demand for passenger rail is gaining momentum across the state, with people of all different backgrounds on board.
“From folks that just don’t own automobiles or aren’t able to drive to folks in the disability community … And then, last but probably not least, the hospitality industry, connecting these cities, for things like sporting events, music events, local attractions like museums and more, just really building out better connectivity in Ohio,” Esterly said.
Potential routes
The state’s major metropolitan areas would be connected through the “3C+D corridor,” which would run from Cincinnati to Cleveland, stopping at Dayton and Columbus along the way. Another route could potentially connect northern Ohio cities, with passenger rail spanning from Cleveland to Toledo to Detroit.
Esterly said it could give the state’s travelers more usable time.
“You don’t lose that two hours or four hours for a round trip that you would between the major cities in Ohio,” Esterly said. “ And it just really gives you an opportunity to enjoy a trip instead of having to participate in it.”
The planned routes would also connect Ohio to other Midwestern states. A route, sponsored by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission, aims to join Chicago, Fort Wayne, Columbus and Pittsburgh. And urban Ohio wouldn’t be the only benefactor. The rail would make stops in Lima, Kenton, Marysville, Newark, Coshocton, Newcomerstown, Uhrichsville and Steubenville.
Plus, the state is also looking to expand its current offerings. The Cardinal Service, which shuttles people from Cincinnati to New York City and Chicago, makes trips three times a week. Officials want to see if it would be viable to increase its frequency to a daily service.
Economic benefits
A recent study by Scioto Analysis, a research firm that analyzes public policy, shows that connecting Ohio’s major metros could generate more than $100 million in economic impact for the state.
All Aboard Ohio commissioned the study to determine the direct impact of construction of the route, not including secondary impacts like property value increases. It predicted that revenue from ridership could generate more than $4 million annually in each city, with Greater Columbus and Cincinnati projected to benefit the most.
The expansion of the railway system is expected to initially create more than a thousand jobs, mainly in construction and operations fields.
“It’s going to have a pretty dramatic effect on our state’s economy, on wages and on future construction opportunities along the route,” Esterly said.
Long road ahead
But, Esterly said it’s important to remember that the state is just in the planning phase, and that turning these passenger rail dreams into reality will take a lot more time.
“Probably toward the end of the decade 2029, 2030, we’ll see these roots come online if we get all the way through,” Esterly said.
Ohio has suffered dashed rail dreams before, most recently with the hyperloop – a promise to provide high speed travel from Chicago to Columbus to Pittsburgh that never came to be. And in 2010, former governor John Kasich staunchly opposed the creation of passenger rail and returned $400 million in stimulus funds back to the federal government.
But, Esterly is optimistic that Ohio can get these proposed Amtrak expansions to the finish line this time. His organization is going around the state on a “Whistle Tour” to drum up excitement and support. Still, he said it will take a lot of consideration and planning.
The planning grant, which will help determine the feasibility, scope and cost estimates, is just the first of three phases. The next steps will aid in creating a financial plan, an environmental study and identify engineering and construction needs.
“We want to go all the way through all three steps of the process to make sure that we’re making an informed decision and doing what’s best for Ohio,” Esterly said.
The Oregon Ducks and coach Dan Lanning have lost out on a top offensive lineman target for their 2027 recruiting class.
On Friday, four-star interior offensive lineman Caden Moss committed to the Ohio State Buckeyes, per On3’s Hayes Fawcett. The 6-5, 320-pound offensive lineman from Jackson Academy in Mississippi chose the Buckeyes over Oregon, Ole Miss, LSU, and Kentucky.
In his commitment post on Instagram, Moss said, “Go Bucks, I’m home.” Moss arrives at Ohio State rated as the No. 72 overall player nationally and No. 7 offensive tackle in the 2027 recruiting class, per 247Sports Composite rankings.
How Moss Commitment Impacts Oregon’s 2027 Recruiting Class Ranking
Despite the loss of Moss to their 2027 recruiting class, the Ducks are ahead of the Buckeyes in the rankings, per 247Sports. The Ducks are No. 6 in the 2027 recruiting class rankings, while the Buckeyes are two spots behind Oregon at No. 8 overall in the country.
The Ducks and Buckeyes, the way things stand at the end of June, have the two best 2027 recruiting classes in the Big Ten and are the only schools from the conference currently ranked inside the top 10. Oregon, however, has four more commits than Ohio State following Moss’ commitment to the Buckeyes on Friday.
The four Big Ten teams behind the Ducks and Buckeyes, but inside the top 20 of the 2027 recruiting class rankings, per 247Sports, include the Penn State Nittany Lions (No. 13), USC Trojans (No. 14), UCLA Bruins (No. 16), and Nebraska Cornhuskers (No. 18).
Oregon and Ohio State’s 2027 recruiting classes are very similar as they both have 11 total blue-chip commits, per 247Sports, including two five-stars and nine four-stars.
Oregon 2027 Offensive Line Commits
While wide receiver Dakota Guerrant and edge rusher Rashad Streets are Oregon’s two five-star commits in the 2027 recruiting class, the Ducks have four offensive line commits despite the loss of Moss to coach Ryan Day and the Buckeyes.
Offensive lineman commits in the Ducks’ 2027 recruiting class include a pair of four-star recruits, Gus Corsair and Cameron Wagner. Three-star commits Avery Michael and Lex Mailangi also highlight the offensive line commits in the Ducks’ 2027 recruiting class.
Over the course of his four seasons as coach of the Ducks, Oregon has been known for its efficient offensive line play, building one of the best groups in the country. In the last four seasons, the Ducks have been the only school to have their offensive line named a semifinalist for the Joe Moore Award.
With the commits in Oregon’s 2027 recruiting class, along with the returners that the Ducks have for the 2026 season, the offensive line looks to continue that trend heading into a year with national championship expectations.
As for the Buckeyes, Ohio State hopes that a dominant offensive lineman can help it continue to be a Big Ten championship and national title contender consistently, as it looks to avenge last season’s loss to the Miami Hurricanes in the CFP Quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl.
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And because of those very distinct emotional states, you’d never know that the Mariners’
Bruce Thornton was already grateful the Houston Rockets traded up with the New York Knicks to take him, but the former Ohio State star also quickly realized there was another incentive to landing in Texas.
After being projected by many mock drafts in the late 40s or early 50s entering the week, the Buckeyes’ all-time leading scorer sounds more than ready for his opportunity in Houston. He met with the media following the selection.
Were you anxious going into the night not knowing where you would land?
Bruce: For me, I’m not picky at all. Whoever wanted me and gave me, a kid from Fairburn, Georgia, an opportunity, I would be very blessed and very grateful. I’m so thankful for the Houston Rockets just taking a chance on me. And I’m going to do everything I can in my power to be the best player I can be for the Houston Rockets.
Did you know that you weren’t going to the Knicks at all?
Bruce: I knew at the last minute. Somebody said I got the wrong hat. I’m like, “What do you mean?” Then I heard the Houston Rockets. I’m like, “No state tax, so that’s even better.”
How does being a four-time team captain prepare you for the expectations of leadership as an NBA point guard?
Bruce: First, I want to thank my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, because without him, I wouldn’t be here right now. But for my experiences at Ohio State, being a four-year guy, it definitely helped me. The experience of just going through college, going through life and the stuff that you just go through, it definitely helped me prepare to talk to grown men at this level. But I feel like the experience I have at Ohio State is going to prepare me to be the best player I can be as a Houston Rocket.
What was the biggest challenge you had to overcome in order to get to this point in your life right now?
Bruce: I feel like for me, from a basketball standpoint, I didn’t make it to March Madness my first three years of college. A lot of people chose to leave and make better situations to get to March Madness, but I just wanted to do it at Ohio State. So I did everything I could. My coaching staff helped me. I did a lot of praying, using my faith to the best of my ability, and I got through it my senior year. One of the best feelings, I ever decided to stay at Ohio State for all four years.
Throughout your basketball journey, is there someone that you’ve considered a mentor or looked up to that shaped the player you are today?
Bruce: First, my mother. She sacrificed so much. She also played at the University of Georgia, so she taught me a lot of things like handling the cookie jar, make sure you hold your follow through, boxing out, stuff I didn’t want to hear at all. But she definitely helped me.
And my friends from back home. It was all of our dream to be in the NBA. And for them to have my support, and having a great support cast throughout this journey was a big thing. The village I had behind me throughout this journey really helped me get to the point I am right now.
When Rockets fans start watching you professionally, is there a part of your game that you think will surprise them the most?
Bruce: I think I’m a winner. I want to win everything I possibly can. I’m trying to impact winning. For me, I feel like everybody eats when everybody wins. So I do everything I can. Whatever they ask me to do, I’m going to make sure I do it at a high level and with a great attitude.
When people look back at your career 10 or 15 years from now, what do you hope they remember most about you?
Bruce: I just hope I’m just a kid that gave everything I got each and every night. When I put that jersey on, I’m just going to perform at the best I can each and every night. I’m never going to quit. I’m never going to stop giving up. So I hope everybody can take that one thing from me, that when you have the opportunity, take full advantage of it.
What do you think you will bring to the Houston Rockets in terms of your attitude, work ethic and willingness to get one percent better each and every day?
Bruce: I think it starts on defense. Me just getting to the ball, being disruptive and making big-time shots. We got great players like Sengun and KD at a very high level. So me just filling in my role at a high level, doing the things they need me to do and just impacting winning as much as I possibly can, and being a great teammate in the locker room.
What is the biggest adjustment you expect to have to make in the NBA?
Bruce: The biggest adjustment is probably playing over 100 games in a year. There’s a deep playoff team this year. So [it’s up to] me just adjusting my body, having the time management skills to play over 100 games and try to win a championship.
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