Ohio is one step closer to having a rail system that connects residents in northeast Ohio to those in southwest Ohio and a couple points in-between.

Amtrak has put a nearly $518 million price tag on Ohio’s plan to restore passenger train service to its major cities, a higher-than-expected cost driven by the need to buy new rail cars that challenges the state’s goal of running trains as early as 2011.

According to an Amtrak feasibility study, a high-speed rail system in Ohio would operate at an annual deficit of $17 million. Supporters are looking for ways to fund the gap.

A report says high-speed rail service would be used by nearly half a million people if it were running today. It’ll cost $342.6 million to get started and need $17 million each year to keep running.

Ohio high-speed rail advocates say Maine’s passenger rail system is a huge success and could be a good model for a system connecting Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati.

Ohio is considered front runner in the competition for federal funding to complete the 3-C corridor.

A higher speed limit for trucks takes effect on Ohio interstate highways in 90 days under the transportation budget signed by Gov. Ted Strickland.

Higher Speed Limit, Funds For Passenger Rail Part Of Signed Budget

A nearly $10 billion transportation budget bill has been delayed as state lawmakers attempt to make a change regarding extended health insurance for unemployed workers.

Find out what other Ohioans said, and give NBC 4 your opinion.

A legislative panel has approved $450,000 to study the cost of establishing passenger rail service along Ohio’s major cities.

Ohio is one step closer to connecting cities through a passenger rail service.