Eminent Domain Concerns Raised Over Missouri's Hyperloop Plans

Critics are pointing to a discrepancy between the plan and the reality in terms of how much private property must be acquired through eminent domain to make the state of Missouri's Hyperloop dreams come true.

April 18, 2019, 8am PDT | James Brasuell | @CasualBrasuell

Kevin Krejci

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"As much as 35 percent of the proposed route for Missouri’s ultra-fast Kansas City to St. Louis Hyperloop would require land acquisition through the government’s power of eminent domain, far more than boosters of the $10-billion venture have claimed," reports Edward McKinley

"The full feasibility report, completed last fall by the Kansas City-based firm Black & Veatch, is at odds with statements by supporters of the project, including Missouri House Speaker Elijah Haahr, who said last month that among the project’s selling points was that it could use 'a vast majority' of state-owned right-of-way along I-70," according to McKinley.

Eminent domain isn't popular in the state of Missouri. "On Tuesday, the House tentatively approved legislation blocking the use of eminent domain for the Grain Belt Express, a transmission line that would carry wind-generated electricity east across eight Missouri counties," according to McKinley.

Full Story:

Missouri Hyperloop would require taking more private land than supporters say

Published on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 in The Kansas City Star