Odenton Meeting Set on Bullet Train Proposal from Baltimore to DC

ODENTON, MD — As federal agencies explore whether its feasible to spend billions to on a 15-minute train ride from downtown Baltimore to downtown Washington, D.C., via a high-speed magnetic levitation train, residents can have a say on the project.

The Federal Railroad Administration and the Maryland Department of Transportation will hold a series of open houses on the SCMAGLEV project as they prepare an environmental impact statement on the potential effects of constructing and operating a high-speed train. The route between the two metro areas would have a stop at Baltimore-Washington International Airport, supporters say.

A public comment period on the project has been extended to 45 days, from November 25, 2016 to Jan. 9, 2017.

The open houses are scheduled for:

• Dec. 10, 10 am - noon at Lindale Middle School, 415 Andover Rd, Linthicum Heights
• Dec. 12, 5 pm - 7 pm at Arundel Middle School, 1179 Hammond Ln, Odenton
• Dec. 13, 5 pm - 7 pm at Coppermine Du Burns Arena, Harbor Side Hall, 3100 Boston St, Baltimore
• Dec. 14, 5 pm - 7 pm at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, 901 G St NW, Washington, DC
• Dec. 15, 5 pm - 7 pm at West Lanham Hills Fire Hall, 8501 Good Luck Rd, Lanham

In August, Japan's Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae announced that his country has committed $2 million to help pay for a feasibility study on building a high-speed magnetic levitation train between the two cities.

The magnetic technology lets trains speed over tracks on a cushion of air; it has been in use in Japan for years. There are no bullet trains operating in the United States, the Sun says, although several states are also considering it.

The Baltimore-Washington SCMaglev project is a private sector initiative led by Baltimore-Washington Rapid Rail, which envisions a 15-minute ride between downtown Baltimore and downtown Washington, D.C., with an interim stop at Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, says the governor’s office.

In August, Japan's Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae announced that his country has committed $2 million to help pay for a feasibility study on building a high-speed magnetic levitation train between the two cities.

When Gov. Larry Hogan visited Japan last year he was impressed with the country’s so-called bullet trains, which travel at more than 350 mph. He promised to explore the $10 billion project connecting Washington and Baltimore, reports The Baltimore Sun.

"The ability to travel between Baltimore and Washington, D.C., in only 15 minutes will be absolutely transformative, not just for these two cities, but for our entire state," Hogan said in a statement in November 2015 when federal grants were announced for the proposal. "This grant will go a long way in helping us determine our next steps in this transportation and economic development opportunity."

Nearly $28 million in U.S. federal grants have already been secured to complete the necessary environmental and engineering studies. A 20 percent outside match is required, and the $2 million from Japan will go toward that 20 percent.
»Photo from Shutterstock