By Holm
Columbus, OH – The 8-point-2 billion dollars Ohio gets from the federal economic stimulus package signed into law Wednesday includes 1-point-5 billion for the state's transportations systems. The Ohio Department of Transportation is slated to get 971 million for highways and bridges, 203 million for transit capitol grants and 9 million to repair rail lines. The Central Ohio Transit authority gets 14 million dollars and the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission gets 28 million. A proposed 8-mile light-rail line along north High Street isn't long enough to qualify for federal money. At a Columbus Metropolitan Club meeting Wednesday, experts said it's time to move on passenger rail in Ohio. Alison Holm has more from the forum.