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The WestShore Corridor Transportation ProjectStudying Passenger Railway Service from Cleveland to Sandusky!

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About Us

Who We Are
Public Meetings
What We Will Do
When It WIll Happen
Benefits

Who We Are

Lorain, Erie, and Cuyahoga Counties and the private sector are working together under the auspices of the Westshore Commuter Rail Task Force to improve the Norfolk Southern mainline known as the Westshore Corridor. These groups of Ohioans have teamed together to rebuild the rail infrastructure and improve it to provide for efficient passenger service.

The Project Co-Sponsors:

Lorain County CommissionersLorain County Community Alliance

Public Meetings Public MeetingsPublic comments will be accepted through November 2, 2011 at WestshoreAA_pbworld.comLorain County, Lorain County Transit (LCT) and the Westshore Commuter Rail Task Force (WCTF), in cooperation with communities in Lorain County, Erie County and Cuyahoga County, will hold three public meetings to inform the public and gather input on the Westshore Corridor Transportation Project (WCTP) and solicit feedback on a proposed public transit-based solution for the transportation needs of the Westshore corridor. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend these meetings. Meeting dates and locations are listed below:Cuyahoga County—October 24, 2011Lakewood City Hall Auditorium12650 Detroit AvenueLakewood, OH 441076-8 pmErie County—October 25, 2011Erie County Administration Building3rd Floor Commissioner’s Chambers2900 Columbus AvenueSandusky, OH 448706-8 pmLorain County—October 26, 2011Black River Landing421 Black River LaneLorain, OH 440526-8 pmThe Westshore Corridor Transportation Project (WCTP) seeks to address the lack of public transportation options for travel in the Westshore corridor, which extends from downtown Cleveland through western Cuyahoga, Lorain, and Erie Counties to Sandusky. The need for improvements is based on several factors including a lack of public transit options for inter-county travel, lack of transit options within Lorain and Erie Counties, and the need for more sustainable land use patterns in suburban growth areas.

What We Will Do

A federally funded plan called 'Alternatives Analysis' will be conducted for this corridor from Cleveland to Sandusky. The improvement of this corridor will provide for greater connectivity and will strengthen the logistics so as to enable the North Coast to compete globally. The additional benefits flowing from this transit strategy are such that will provide jobs in the region, improve the quality of life for the citizens and businesses, and improve the environment.

During the 'Alternatives Analysis', a series of public meetings will educate citizens and public officials. In each community, there will be at least three opportunities for public involvement: First, there will be kick-off meetings, second, meetings to decide on the best method of implementation, and third, a final report to each community.

When It WIll Happen

The rail portion of the alternatives analysis would evaluate the economic impact of the rail project as well as the value creation and capture from development opportunities around the station stops.

We will know:

The budget, rolling stock, and capital improvements

Frequency and fares

Market Area, and amount of riders

Impact on real estate development and jobs

We will then decide, should the project be eligible for federal funding, whether to continue that process.

Benefits

Benefits to the Region:

Low-cost convenient travel

Easy commute over larger areas

Reduced highway traffic and congestion

New jobs to the area

Increased real estate values

Convenient access for leisure activities

Information

FTA Planning

WestShore Corridor Transportation Study - Project Background

The WestShore Corridor Transportation Study seeks to improve transit connections between communities in Erie, Lorain and Cuyahoga Counties located along the Lake Erie shoreline, i.e. the WestShore Corridor. This study results from an earlier study called the Northeast Ohio Commuter Rail Feasibility Study, or Neorail Study, which looked at the potential for passenger rail service to connect up to 9 counties in Northeast Ohio. READ MORE

WCTP Background 12_29_10.doc

Project Development flow chart.pdf

WCTP Counties MOU.pdf

Neorail

Introduction

The Northeast Ohio Commuter Rail Feasibility Study (NEORail) was a two phase study conducted to assess the potential for regional commuter rail service in Northeast Ohio. The study focused on nine counties in the jurisdictions of three metropolitan planning organizations (NOACA, for the Cleveland-Lorain area; AMATS, for the Akron-Kent area, and SCATS, for the Canton-Massillon area). NOACA oversaw the study through its Commuter Rail Advisory Committee (CRAC). Parsons Brinckerhoff, a transportation consulting firm, performed the technical analysis, supported by Urban Conservation and Design, which conducted the public involvement portion of the study. READ MORE BELOW

NeoRail Ch 6 Implementation.pdf

NeoRail Exec Summary.pdf

WCTP Status

Under Construction

Page 4

Current information will be updated here as it is made available.

West Shore_1-20-11.pdf

FTA Planning
Neorail
WCTP Status
Page 4

Calender of WCTP Events

Study Data

West Shore_1-20-11.pdf

Westshore Counties Sales Tax 2007-2009.pdf

The three counties in the Westshore Corridor are Cuyhaoga, Lorain and Erie.The Cleveland to Sandusky corridor is centered on Interstate 90/80 highway corridor. This area is home to 590,000 people and 250,000 employees and sees a high volume of car travel for work, shopping and toursim.The American Community Survy data for 2006-2008 indicates that more than 700,000 worker movements trips are made daily in the three county area. 60,000 of those trips are made between the three counties. (approximately 5.2% of the county work trips are made on public transporation verses .1% of the intercounty trips)The Western End of the corridor is a mjor toursim area and experiences more than six million trips to the Lake Erie Shores and islands each year, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the Midwest.

WCTP Capital O and M Cost Summary 2011.pdf

Other Studies: CANTON-AKRON-CLEVELAND INTER-REGIONAL TRAVEL CORRIDOR MAJOR INVESTMENT STUDY

The CAC Inter-Regional Travel Corridor Major Investment Study (CAC MIS) is a unique effort by the transportation agencies serving four counties in northeastern Ohio to address transportation problems both within and among the three urbanized regions. READ MORE

Media TRI- COUNTY PROJECT RECEIVES SURPRISE PLEDGEThe Lorain County Community Alliance (LCCA) received a pleasant surprise on the JetExpress IV Sunset Cruise Event on Wednesday, September 29th. Lorain County Commissioner Betty Blair pledged $5,000 of match moneys to the Lorain County Community Alliance’s WestShore Corridor Transportation Project, for use either for the Tiger II grant, or towards a Federal Grant in 2011. The pledge wasannounced at the event in memory of the Commissioner’s late husband, Charles L. Blair, who passed away on October 6, 2009. “His children, Grandchildren, extended family and I have benefited all of our lives from his fine example and vision for what Lorain County should be; we take great pride in making this pledge,” said Blair.