A direct passenger rail link connecting Downtown Columbus with John Glenn Columbus International Airport is on the table. As part of the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission’s (MORPC) Heartland Rail Connectivity Initiative, regional planners and civic leaders are exploring dedicated passenger rail service between the heart of the city and its growing international airport.

This effort, supported by All Aboard Ohio and regional partners, pairs with broader preparations to integrate Columbus into the national passenger network via the federally backed 3C+D (Cleveland–Columbus–Dayton–Cincinnati) and Midwest Connect (Chicago–Fort Wayne–Columbus–Pittsburgh) corridors.

The Airport Connection Exploration

MORPC is investigating both existing freight lines and non-rail right-of-way (such as freeway corridors and utility easements) between Downtown Columbus and John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) could be used for the connection.

As part of these projects planners analyze:

• Track alignments, curvature, bridge clearances, and utility impacts along the corridor.

• Travel-time and out-of-pocket cost savings for consumers compared to highway driving, parking, and rideshares.

• Integration with the existing transportation grid and the airport's terminal operations.

• The potential to attract private passenger rail operators to operate or co-fund service.

  
  
  
  

The Justification: High Growth Demands Rail Solutions

Central Ohio is currently the fastest-growing metropolitan region in the Midwest, with its 15-county population projected to climb from 2.5 million today to more than 3.1 million by 2050. At the same time, Columbus remains the second-largest city in the United States without any kind of passenger rail service.

The case for linking Downtown Columbus directly to CMH rests on several compounding factors:

• Airport Expansion: Passenger volume at John Glenn International has surged past pre-pandemic levels, serving over 9 million passengers in 2025. The airport is currently building a new $2 billion terminal designed to accommodate up to 13 million passengers annually.

• Highway Gridlock: Regional daily Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMT) and peak-hour congestion continue to escalate, rising to 13.0% under congested peak conditions in 2024. Rail provides a high-capacity, reliable bypass to highway bottlenecks and could offset the continued congestion.

• Economic Megaprojects: Over $30 billion in major private and industrial investments including Intel, Anduril, Honda/LG Energy Solution, Amazon, Google, and Microsoft fueling regional business travel needs.

• A Thriving Visitor Economy: Greater Columbus welcomes 53 million visitor trips each year for purposes such as conventions, trade shows, and sporting events, generating $8.2 billion in spending.

The Stations

The proposed airport service anchors directly into two pivotal regional hubs:

1. Columbus Convention Center Passenger Rail Station (Downtown)

Located at the Greater Columbus Convention Center site, this multimodal station will resurrects passenger rail service at the historic location of Columbus Union Station.

2. John Glenn Columbus International Airport

A possible dedicated station and pedestrian connection that will allow airline passengers to transfer seamlessly between airline gates and train platforms.   

Project Timeline and Next Steps

The Heartland Rail Connectivity Initiative is structured as a two-year, $6 million planning and preliminary engineering effort.   

• January 1, 2027: Anticipated project kickoff.

• December 2028: Completion of Airport Access analysis