transportation
Infrastructure law fixes Amtrak funding woes, House panel hears
WASHINGTON — The leader of Amtrak told a U.S. House panel Thursday that the recently enacted infrastructure law made great strides to solving the passenger rail system’s financial woes and placed it on equal footing with other modes of transportation. Democrats on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s rail subcommittee and Amtrak Executive Director Stephen Gardner […]
Congress clears temporary extension of federal transportation programs
The U.S. House on Thursday night approved another short-term patch for funding of federal transportation programs, essential for keeping roads money flowing to states despite an impasse in Congress. The bill, passed 358-59, would keep programs running at funding levels first approved in 2015 as lawmakers and the White House seek a bargain to pass […]
Bus driver shortage stresses rural school districts
By Aallyah Wright, Stateline, an initiative of The Pew Charitable Trusts Weeks into the school year, rural school districts remain especially hard hit by the national school bus driver shortage that gained widespread attention late this summer. Bus routes have been shortened or extended, drivers are working longer hours, and in some cases administrators, mechanics […]
Why there’s such an impasse in Congress: Some questions and answers
WASHINGTON — Congress may have kept the federal government operating with an 11th-hour flurry of votes on Thursday, but several key pieces of the Democratic agenda remain in limbo. Here are some questions and answers on where negotiations stand with two massive Democratic-drafted bills — and the status of other looming challenges for federal lawmakers: President Joe […]
Earmarks list for states in U.S. House infrastructure bill tops $5.7B
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Democrats’ highway funding bill is poised to include roughly three out of five transportation projects submitted by members, as legislators vie for their share of federal dollars through the resurrected congressional earmarks process. The 1,473 projects that made the cut were out of 2,383 that Democratic and Republican legislators requested for inclusion in […]
Infrastructure plan would fix some of Ohio’s 1,377 “structurally deficient” bridges
Five miles from the Ohio River in Lawrence County stands a small bridge on Sugar Creek-Johnstown Road. Only about 20 feet long, the bridge overtop Turkey Fork Creek aids residents of this very rural area in Southern Ohio reach the closest stores, restaurants and school buildings in nearby Coal Grove and Ironton. First built in […]
Proposals call for expanded passenger rail service in Ohio
Biden administration, Amtrak proposing new passenger rail connecting Ohio’s “Three-C” cities The possibility of expanded passenger rail service in Ohio has some residents brainstorming how it might impact their lives. A Columbus resident imagines being able to take a train to Chicago, a place they haven’t been “in ages.” A baseball fan from Dayton thinks […]
Ohio Senate plan ramps up public transit funding. Will the increase stay?
Some want to see lowering of electric vehicle fees It’s been something of a wild ride for public transportation funding during the budget negotiation process thus far in 2021, but advocates are pleased with the direction things are headed. Gov. Mike DeWine called for a significant decrease in spending on public transportation in his budget […]
How much should Ohio invest in public transportation? Advocates make case for more funding
Advocates are urging lawmakers to invest more money into Ohio’s public transportation systems and commit to long-term support for this transit spending. Gov. Mike DeWine presented deep cuts to public transportation in his proposed budget. The Ohio House of Representatives restored much of the funding in its transportation budget passed earlier in March. But this […]
Transportation remains a barrier to vaccination for many Ohioans
A new database is up and running to get Ohioans scheduled for COVID-19 vaccinations, but another issue facing those wanting the shot is getting there. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced the launch of a centralized scheduling tool that he says will streamline the process. The state is still working to get providers connected to the […]
Buttigieg to inherit a crumbling network of roads, subways and rails at DOT
Pete Buttigieg as the incoming pick for U.S. transportation secretary would take office at a time when both state and local officials are deeply frustrated that not enough is being done to maintain and improve the country’s transportation networks. But nobody seems to be able to solve the problem. For example, two presidents have vowed […]
Mailbag: Ohio trails other states in funding public transit. Here’s why.
It’s illegal to vote twice in Ohio, but it’s recommended you read each Ohio Capital Journal article twice. It’s time for this week’s mailbag: Got a question about Ohio politics? Send them to [email protected] or tweet them to @tylerjoelb. Why don’t we invest in sustainable transportation (rail, bike, public transportation) at rates comparable to our […]