U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Office of the Secretary ~ Office of Public Affairs
Washington, DC 20590
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Monday, May 24, 1999
Contact: Pamela Barry
Telephone: 202-493-6024
FRA 12-99
U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney E. Slater today announced
grants to seven states and authorities for pre-construction planning for
magnetic levitation (Maglev) high-speed ground transportation.
"Maglev technology has the potential to provide a new, safe and
efficient high-speed ground transportation option for passengers," said
Secretary Slater. "President Clinton said that now is not a time to rest
but to build, and this program reflects his commitment to developing new
technology that will help grow the economy and protect the environment in
the 21st century."
The federal funds will pay up to two-thirds of the cost of the
preliminary engineering, market studies, environmental assessments, and
financial planning needed to determine the feasibility of deploying a
Maglev project.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) will distribute a total
of $12.2 million among the seven grant recipients. The amount of each
grant will vary based on the project. The FRA has selected the following
projects for funding:
* Port Authority of Allegheny County: A 45-mile project linking Pittsburgh
Airport to Pittsburgh and its eastern suburbs.
* Maryland Department of Transportation: A 40-mile project linking Camden
Yard in Baltimore and Baltimore-Washington International Airport to Union
Station in Washington, D.C.
* California-Nevada Super Speed Train Commission: A 42-mile project
linking Las Vegas to Primm, Nev.
* Florida Department of Transportation: A 20-mile project linking Port
Canaveral to the Space Center and the Titusville Regional Airport.
* Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission: A 40-mile project linking New
Orleans Union Passenger Terminal to the airport and across Lake
Ponchartrain to the fast-growing northern suburbs.
* Georgia/Atlanta Regional Commission: First 40 miles of 110-mile project
from Atlanta to Chattanooga, Tenn.
* State of California: A 70- to 75-mile system connecting Los Angeles
International Airport to Union Station in downtown Los Angeles to Ontario
Airport and further east into Riverside County.
Each of the grants will provide the selected projects with
sufficient federal funds to pay up to two-thirds of the cost of the
preliminary engineering, market studies, environmental assessments, and
financial planning needed to determine the feasibility of deploying a
Maglev project. This phase of the competition will last one year from the
date the grants are awarded. One project will be chosen from the seven to
construct and deploy a Maglev project.
"The forthcoming demonstration of Maglev technology is very
exciting to those of us who are working to develop high-speed ground
transportation systems across America," said FRA Administrator Jolene M.
Molitoris. "As we see more and more congestion on highways and airways,
Maglev can be a competitive option," she continued.
Maglev is an advanced technology in which magnetic
forces lift,
propel, and guide a vehicle over a guideway. Utilizing state-of-the-art
electric power and control systems, this configuration minimizes friction
and permits cruising speeds of up to 300 mph, or more than three times the
speed of conventional rail service. Because of its high speed and modest
right-of-way requirements, Maglev offers competitive trip-time savings to
auto and aviation modes in the 40- to 600-mile travel marketsan ideal
travel option for the 21st century.
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Last Modified: May 25, 1999