Columbus to Pittsburgh Corridor Featured in U.S. Department of Energy Report

COLUMBUS TO PITTSBURGH CORRIDOR Featured in U.S. Department of Energy Report this Summer

The Columbus Pittsburgh Corridor Association

The Columbus Pittsburgh Corridor Association is pleased to announce the federal acknowledgement and support of the Columbus to Pittsburgh Corridor Project; as it was featured in the U.S. Department of Energy’s June 2020 edition of The Appalachian Energy and Petrochemical Renaissance.

The Columbus to Pittsburgh Corridor is listed as a project that would “support economic growth and diversification” within the Appalachian Region, when completed.

“We certainly are encouraged by this acknowledgement and the potential for support from the federal government,” said Ed Looman, CPCA President. “The association continues to push for action on this much needed transportation alternative. Going forward, our hope is we can have another feasibility study on the proposed corridor.”

The project can further assist in providing an economic boom to the Eastern region of the state; as shale oil/gas, steel, petrochemical, manufacturing, logistics, food processing, and tourism are all industries on the rise along the corridor. With only 30% of the 160-mile corridor to be completed, the endorsement of the project from the U.S. Department of Energy will prove to be an invaluable asset in the finalization process. The completion of the Columbus to Pittsburgh Corridor will not only have a positive impact on Eastern Ohio; but will also bolster economic growth in neighboring West Virginia and Pennsylvania counties.

“To be in an Executive Order Report signed off by the White House is a very encouraging step. While how the project will get funding is still a primary effort and will take time. We remain focused on continuing to push for completion of this viable roadway artery for the future of our region and the new global diversified business economy we are building and trying to attract,” Nick Homrighausen, Executive Director of Harrison County Community and Economic Development and CPCA Vice Chair stated, “The efforts of our trip to Washington D.C. last year and our meetings with DOE, Congress & Senate can only of certainly helped in this reports inclusion. With less than 30% of the roadway to be completed to 4-lanes we continue to remain positive and will push our efforts to the next level as the time is now to complete what was started well over 40 years ago.”

“Completion of this four-lane corridor is vital to the economic growth and resiliency of the OMEGA region and will promote growth in the wood products, food processing, logistics, and other diverse manufacturing sectors,” Ohio Mid-Eastern Governments Association (OMEGA) Executive Director Jeannette Wierzbicki said, “As referenced in DOE’s report, investment in this project is also a crucial component of the Appalachian energy and petrochemical renaissance. The Columbus to Pittsburgh corridor will also alleviate congestion on I-70 and lead to more efficient movement of freight between the two growing metropolitan areas”.

The Columbus Pittsburgh Corridor Association is excited for the future of this project and looks forward to partnering with local, state, and federal entities to ensure success for the region!