Project Description

Transportation needs are steadily growing. The problem of how to meet these needs in the future is significant. High Speed maglev is the solution. It is designed to supplement, not replace existing transportation systems. This proven technology is available from Transrapid International of Germany

The United States Congress enacted the Transportation Equity Act for the 21 Century (TEA-21) which approved the study of multiple corridors across the United States for possible construction of high-speed maglev. A summary of the TEA-21 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century is provided at the above website address that identifies the program purpose and proposed funding for the years 1997- 2003.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), of the U.S. Department of Transportation, is administering pre-construction engineering activities for a high-speed maglev transportation system to commercialize this revenue ready technology for use in the United States. Pennsylvania was selected as one of the two finalists in the U.S. to compete for this project under TEA-12 and provided the required state funding match. As one of the competitors in the United States for site selection and construction funding, we have a chance to bring this project to Pennsylvania. Unified support is required throughout Pittsburgh and Pennsylvania.

MAGLEV, Inc., in conjunction with the Port Authority of Allegheny County and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, in a public/private effort is developing the project for Pennsylvania.

The Pennsylvania High-Speed Maglev Project corridor extends from the Pittsburgh International Airport to Greensburg, with intermediate stops in downtown Pittsburgh and Monroeville. This initial project will serve a population of approximately 2.4 million people in the Pittsburgh metropolitan area.

It is envisioned that this will be the first segment of a high-speed maglev system that will cross Pennsylvania from Pittsburgh to Philadelphia with stops in Johnstown, Altoona, State College, Lewistown, Harrisburg, Lancaster and Paoli and eventually extend farther East to connect to the populous Northeast Corridor.

Future projects also envisioned include a Southern link to Wheeling, Morgantown, Clarksburg and Charleston, West Virginia and a Western link to Cleveland and Chicago. A Northern link would include Erie, Pennsylvania and Buffalo, New York.

In August 2005, the United States Congress enacted the Safe Accountable Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act – A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). Section 1307 of SAFETEA-LU, Deployment of Magnetic Levitation Transportation Projects provides for the allocation of 50 percent of the funds to be made available ($90 million) for a maglev project between Las Vegas and Primm, Nevada, and 50 percent for a project to be located east of the Mississippi River. Project eligibility to receive financial assistance shall – (1) involve a segment or segments of a high-speed ground transportation corridor; (2) result in an operating transportation facility that provides a revenue producing service; and (3) be approved by the Secretary based on an application submitted to the Secretary by a State or authority designated by one or more states.