Ohio House Expresses Support for Hyperloop Transportation Initiative

The Ohio House of Representatives today passed a resolution expressing support for the Hyperloop Transportation Initiative.

After outlining Ohio’s rich history, innovation and modernization in the field of transportation, House Resolution 236 details how the Hyperloop Transportation Initiative can help increase connectivity between businesses and people throughout Ohio and the Midwest. The initiative “would have a significant positive impact on Ohio’s economy and infrastructure,” the resolution states.

A hyperloop is a high-speed concept capable of transporting freight and passengers at speeds of upwards of 700 miles per hour. Columbus was recently named a top-ten finalist in the Hyperloop One Global Challenge. The winners of the challenge will collaborate with the Hyperloop One development teams to explore the creation of the world’s first hyperloop in their regions.

“Building on the selection of Columbus as the nation’s first Smart City in June of 2016, the Hyperloop One Global Challenge represents an exceptional opportunity for Ohio to further its status as one of the world’s leaders in advanced transportation technology,” said State Representative Jim Hughes (R-Upper Arlington), the resolution’s sponsor.

The Midwest Connect Proposal would connect Chicago, Columbus and Pittsburgh that would give passengers the ability to travel amongst the three cities at unprecedented speeds (Columbus to Chicago in about 24 minutes; Columbus to Pittsburgh in about 20 minutes.) Some estimates expect the hyperloop would support 1.9 million annual passenger trips and about $3.8 billion in annual cargo demand by 2040.