WICU12

    For weeks, All Aboard Erie along with members of the community have been collecting petitions to make a high-speed rail in Erie a reality.  

     Now, the group is making a step forward in their progress.

    "I'm really impressed with how the entire community of Erie is getting behind this organization." said Brian Pitzer of All Aboard Erie.

      Pitzer, along with members of All Aboard Ohio, are headed to Buffalo to meet with their counterparts.
    They are going there to work on a plan of action for making the 3 way corridor happen, connecting Cleveland, Erie, and Buffalo.
       If approved, the estimated cost is $600 to $700 million dollars for the 200 mile corridor between Cleveland and  Buffalo.
      It's a move that is crucial  for Erie to receive federal funds that it has been left out of.

    "It's not just Erie that is the missing link." said Ken Prendergast of All Aboard Ohio.  "But this whole corridor is the missing link between the Chicago based mid-west corridors, and the east coast corridors that go no further west then Buffalo and Pittsburgh." 

    Over the past several weeks, the on going rally to bring a high-speed rail system has been building momentum.
    Volunteers have been collecting petitions that they plan on mailing out after election day.
    The petitions are asking the U.S. Secretary of Transportation, Ray Lahood, to make the Cleveland to Erie to Buffalo route a federal high-speed corridor.
     The group will be wrapping up their signature collection on election day.
     On Tuesday, there will be members at several of the areas voting locations, asking for signatures in support of the high-speed rail system for Erie.
     Support that many believe is important for Erie's economy.

      "I think everyone in Erie recognizes the importance of this economic development for the Erie Community." said Pitzer.  "After 1,500 people being laid off from GE, everyone knows how important it is to have this economic stimulus for the Erie community."

Jamison Hixenbaugh