Race For Maglev Train Funding

The race to build the nation's first magnetic levitation railroad has narrowed to projects proposed for Pittsburgh and the Washington-Baltimore area. Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater announced the awards Thursday, selecting the projects from seven competing for the money. His successor will pick the winner to receive millions of dollars in federal support. The futuristic maglev trains can operate at up to 240 miles per hour; projects also have been proposed in several other countries. Slater said the government will split $14 million between the two programs for environmental impact assessments and continued planning. The final winner could receive as much as $950 million in federal aid."