Transportation

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Ohio has an excellent and well-developed systems of roads, railways, and canals which helped to make it a major industrial area and key distribution center. Good geographic location and a rich supply of natural resources contributed to Ohio's ability to build and support a national transportation hub.

Ohio has one of the best highway systems in the country, with the fifth largest interstate highway system and the ninth largest overall highway system. I-70 travels east-west across the lower portion of the state through Columbus, connecting to St. Louis and I-90 runs east-west along the northern border through Toledo and Cleveland. I-77 and I-75 run north-south through the eastern and western parts of the state respectively, and I-71 runs diagonally across the state, connecting Cleveland, Columbus, and Cinncinnati. Greyhound provides passenger transport and many smaller bus lines also service the state.

Railroads played a major role in Ohio's industrial history, and its railway mileage is one of the largest in the country. Although many of the old railway lines have vanished, today there are two class I railraods in Ohio, CSX and Norfolk Southern. Ohio is also home to many regional and short line railroads whose lines criss-cross the state.

Shipping also plays an important role in transporting people and goods in Ohio. Lake Erie sends and receives shipments from all over the world and the Ohio River moves more tonnage than the Panama canal.

Ohio is home to three major airports, Dayton International Airport (DAY), Port Columbus International Airport (CMH), and Cleveland Hopkins Internation Airport (CLE). The Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Internation Airport (CVG) serves Cincinnati and is a hub for Delta, but is physically located in Kentucky. Ohio's connection to air travel dates back to the beginning and the Wright brothers who were natives of Dayton, Ohio.

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