Race For Maglev Train Funding

Only two projects, one in Pittsburgh and the other in the Washington-Baltimore Area, are in the running to be the first in the country with a maglev train system.

1 minute read

January 20, 2001, 8:00 AM PST

By Christian Madera @http://www.twitter.com/cpmadera


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."

Thanks to Christian Peralta

Thursday, January 18, 2001 in Associated Press

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Redlining map of Oakland and Berkeley.

Rethinking Redlining

For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

May 15, 2025 - Alan Mallach

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 14, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Aerial view of Albuquerque, New Mexico at sunset.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico

An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

May 16 - Source NM

Close-up on white bike helmet lying on pavement with blurred red bike on its side in background abd black car visible behind it.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes

Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

May 16 - Wood TV 8

Muni bus on red painted bus-only lane in downtown San Francisco, California.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels

Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.

May 16 - Mass Transit