The desire for a high-speed train route connecting the Northeast of the United States is not a new phenomenon…
In fact, the plans for this project were first proposed a decade ago, in 2015, but have since been plagued with setbacks, obstacles, and objections over the years that had to be addressed carefully and thoughtfully.
You may recall us covering this story back in November of 2023, when the proposed ‘Northeast Maglev’ story gained some media attention.
What are the plans for a D.C. to Baltimore maglev train?
According to Bill Scott, president of Northeast Maglev LLC, the high-speed train planned to connect Washington, D.C. to Baltimore has been slowly and quietly progressing despite some public debate and discussion over the years.
The project, which has been a decade in the making, is currently still in the same ‘regulatory review and permitting process’ that it has been for around seven years, however, the president’s update suggested that this “nightmare” stage might be coming to an end soon.
The proposed train route will be 33 miles in total and will cost an estimated $20 billion to complete.
New updates about the D.C. to Baltimore maglev project
Here is some other new information about the developing train route that was also shared in the recent update:
- 70% of the train’s planned rail line (24 miles) will be through underground tunnels.
- Project leaders expect to break ground within the next 24 months.
- The underground tunnels planned for the maglev rail line will be 50 feet wide, enough to accommodate two passing trains simultaneously.
- The new maglev station planned for Baltimore will likely be located at Cherry Hill or Camden Yards, the final decision will be made by the Federal Railroad Administration.
- The firm behind the project’s development (Baltimore-Washington Rapid Rail, or BWRR) has proposed using solar and/or wind farms in Western Maryland to power the maglev system.
- One-way tickets for the 15-minute ride between the cities would cost just $33.
- Expectations state that around 12 million passengers will use the new transportation system within its first year.
Why you should care
According to President Bill Scott’s update, the annual cost of not building this high-speed train line has been estimated to be $5.8 billion in highway & roadway usage and also in lost time due to traffic congestion between the two cities.
Scott also noted that while 62% of the respondents to a BWRR-commissioned poll about the project were in favor of the maglev, “54% had never heard of it”, indicating a need for more media attention and public support to give the project some momentum.
What is a maglev train?
A maglev train is a technologically advanced type of high-speed train that uses a ‘magnetic levitation’ transportation system that uses magnetic attractions and repulsions between the track and cars to drive itself forward at incredible speeds of 300+ MPH.
Find out more about the Northeast Maglev project here on their website.