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Hamilton stumps for rail stop at airport

Train tracks run through Fairfield as seen from Bypass Ohio 4 near Symmes Road Tuesday, July 7. It is the site Hamilton officials are pitching for an area stop as part of the statewide rail system.

Staff photo by Greg Lynch Train tracks run through Fairfield as seen from Bypass Ohio 4 near Symmes Road Tuesday, July 7. It is the site Hamilton officials are pitching for an area stop as part of the statewide rail system.

ENLARGE PHOTO

Key factors may tip scales for rail stops

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By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer Updated 7:23 AM Wednesday, July 8, 2009

COLUMBUS — In an effort to keep Hamilton and Butler County in the running for a new passenger rail system, officials rallied at a public meeting for a train stop to be included at an area airport.

The Ohio Rail Development Commission held an informational meeting in Columbus Tuesday, July 7, to discuss the 3-C Corridor project, which would have passenger trains running along existing freight tracks in Cincinnati, Dayton, Columbus and Cleveland. The plan calls for at least one station stop in Butler County, with Middletown designated as the preferred site. Hamilton is currently listed as an alternative stop.

Hamilton Planning Director Teri Whitmore and Rob Wile, Hamilton Vision Commission member attended the meeting to deliver the city’s view on the benefits of choosing Butler County Regional Airport as a site.

“We’re not trying to get the Middletown stop, and we’re not against them,” said Wile. “We’re just trying to get a multi-modal location in the county as a catalyst for economic development.”

Logistically, the proposed passenger rail system doesn’t work inside Hamilton because there are no Norfolk Southern lines through the city that would connect easily with other planned stops. The section of rail that would most likely be chosen at the Butler County Regional Airport is actually in the city of Fairfield, but would still greatly benefit Hamilton and the region, Whitmore said.

“Obviously if you develop something multi-modal it will have the most benefit to our residents. That is our focus,” she said.

Phil Pasterak of Parsons Brinckerhoff, a rail consulting firm working on the 3-C project, said station stops are still being considered and the commission is welcoming input on what makes the best sense for the success of the system.

However, time is short if the commission wants to receive federal stimulus dollars to fund the project. The proposal must be submitted by this summer, and Pasterak said the 3-C Corridor should be sent in as soon as Friday, July 10.

Staff Writer Richard Wilson contributed to this report.

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