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3/29/2021
Rail News: High-Speed Rail
FRA extends DEIS comment period for proposed Northeast Maglev system
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.
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