The Federal Railroad Administration recently released a preliminary study of a proposed high-speed maglev train route between Baltimore and Washington, D.C.
The Federal Railroad Administration in January released a preliminary review of a proposal to build a high-speed maglev train system between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. as the first leg of a route that would eventually connect to New York City, reports Luz Lazo.
The preliminary review "[lays] out potential routes, as well as economic and environmental impacts of the train service that would move passengers between the nation’s capital and Baltimore in 15 minutes," according to Lazo.
The preliminary study considers two potential alignments, both running parallel to the Baltimore-Washington Parkway. Lazo provides more details on each of the potential alignments in the source article.
The project is estimated to cost between $13.8 billion and $16.8 billion, depending on alignment chosen. The costs has been rising. "Northeast Maglev, the private investors behind the project, had pegged costs at $10 billion to $12 billion. " Northeast Maglev has announced $5 billion in funding for the project from Japan.
According to Lazo, the project is facing stiff opposition from "residents, civic associations and elected officials in the project’s path." The federal study has already been delayed by a year.
Hat tip to Sandy Smith for sharing the Washington Post article.
FULL STORY: Federal review of Baltimore-Washington high-speed maglev project moves ahead
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
Mamdani overhauls NYC's Vision Zero plan with 100 new policy goals
The overhaul aims to reduce traffic deaths and make streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers through lower speed limits, new safety infrastructure and more.
Amtrak not solely to blame for New Jersey commuter rail's unreliability, report finds
A new study from the Garden State Initiative found that NJ Transit’s budget grew 20% across a 4 year period, but reliability declined significantly over the same period.
EPA erases limits on planet-warming pollution from power plants
Under Monday’s plan, power plants would still have some limits on how much mercury, arsenic and other contaminants they can emit.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association