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Federal Mag-Lev Funding Reignites Debate in Las Vegas

Posted by: Nate Berg

18 September 2009 - 11:00am

Federal authorities recently announced $45 million in support of plans to construct a magnetic levitation train line between Las Vegas and Southern California, re-igniting a debate over two proposed rail connections.

"The long-envisioned maglev train between Las Vegas and Anaheim suffered a setback this year when Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid announced he was pulling his support. Reid now prefers the proposed DesertXpress train -- a much cheaper alternative.

DesertXpress is backed by Nevada political guru SigRogich, a Reid supporter, and is much further along in the planning process with hopes of breaking ground on construction next year. But it too has shortcomings: Critics are skeptical of the route between Las Vegas and the California high-desert city of Victorville, some 80 miles from Los Angeles."

Supported of the DesertXpress train say its private operation will require no federal money, aside from loans. The mag-lev line will rely much more heavily on public funds.

Full Story: High-speed rail competition heats up with new funding
Source: The Las Vegas Sun, September 16, 2009
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