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3/29/2021
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT) Maryland Transit Administration (MTA) have extended the public comment period for the environmental review of the private-sector Baltimore-Washington Superconducting Magnetic Levitation Project (SCMAGLEV)
The public comment period will now run through May 24, according to a press release.
Earlier this monthm FRA and MDOT MTA announced the schedule for a trio of public hearings in April on the SCMAGLEV DEIS. The hearings will be held virtually April 6, 8 and 10.
The draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) evaluates the potential beneficial and adverse environmental impacts of the SCMAGLEV. The private-sector project has been proposed by Baltimore-Washington Rapid Rail LLC, which would construct and operate the high-speed technology to run on a grade-separated, fixed guideway powered by magnetic forces at speeds exceeding 300 mph. The system would not operate on standard railroad tracks, so a dedicated grade-separated guideway is required, according to the DEIS.
The system would include two terminal stations — one in Baltimore and one in Washington — as well as an intermediate station at the Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. In addition, the system would require other facilities, including one trainset maintenance facility, two maintenance-of-way facilities, fresh air and emergency egress facilities, substations, wayside system facilities and stormwater management.
The SCMAGLEV would operate on both underground and elevated guideway, according to the DEIS.