from the 6C Coalition (Cleveland-Columbus-Cincinnati Choo-Choo Campaign), Jun 2, 1998

The Ohio Department of Transportation is about to decide between a $280 million widening of I-71 between Columbus and Cleveland, or a light rail system that will cost about $60 million.

We want the train.

We believe widening I-71 will cause enormous environmental damage both through the construction project and the increased automobile traffic. The job will take many years, causing inordinate delays. The road will be obsolete even before it's finished. And we doubt the current estimate will hold without tremendous cost overruns.

By contrast, the rail line can run on existing right-of-way. It will save the taxpayers $200 million or more, right off the top. It can be done within a year. Cost overruns could never approach those of the highway expansion.

This project would also jump-start light rail in central Ohio, which desperately needs it. We would guess the line would soon be extended to Cincinnati, where it is also badly needed.

We believe ODOT will decide which way to go within 60 days.

We urge you to urge ODOT to save the $200 million and the environmental damage and help Ohio move toward the modern light rail system it will need to prosper in the next century.