300 MPH Train Rejected Amid Cost Overruns In MD, DC

ODENTON, MD — A high-speed train will not be built between Baltimore and Washington, D.C. at this time.

The federal government announced the news in a Monday notice, saying the rail line would likely disrupt federal property.

The feds worried that the train would affect Fort George G. Meade and the National Security Agency in Anne Arundel County. They were also concerned about NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center and the USDA's research facilities in Prince George's County. The Patuxent Wildlife Refuge, which spans both counties, was another point of contention.

The train would have also traveled through a short stretch in southwestern Baltimore County before reaching Baltimore City. The Baltimore station would have been located near the Inner Harbor, the Baltimore Peninsula or Cherry Hill. The Washington Station would've been constructed in the NoMa or Mount Vernon Square neighborhoods.

A map of the proposed routes, named alternatives J and J1, is posted on page 81 of this study report.

The privately operated train was expected to zip by each site, traveling at 311 mph and whisking passengers between Washington and Charm City in 15 minutes with an intermediate stop underneath Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport. Some sections were slated to be underground, while others would've been elevated.

Later extensions were planned to connect the nation's capital and New York City with a one-hour ride. Additional stops were planned for Wilmington, Delaware; Philadelphia International Airport; Philadelphia and Newark Liberty International Airport.

The train would've used magnets to levitate atop the tracks, letting it travel at high speeds thanks to the absence of friction. Dubbed the Superconducting Magnetic Levitation train, the railway was nicknamed the SCMAGLEV train for short.

Northeast Maglev called the decision a "missed opportunity of a generation to deploy the fastest and safest ground transportation system in the world." The company said the news "further cements America's transportation infrastructure technological inferiority."

"Deploying this existing, advanced technology, already operating in Japan, would address the transportation challenges facing the Northeast Corridor - the densest in the United States," Northeast Maglev said in a Monday statement. "The SCMAGLEV would have resulted in over $6 billion in private investment, created more than 160,000 jobs, and replaced 16 million car trips. With cars being the largest source of pollution in Maryland, significant air quality benefits would have been realized. Instead, the Washington, DC metro area will remain number one in the country for the worst traffic, delays, and congestion."

In an April trip to Japan, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore took a test ride on the MAGLEV train that inspired the Mid-Atlantic proposal.

"Strong public transportation infrastructure is key to connecting Marylanders from where they live to where opportunity lies," Moore said in a press release at the time. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to experience this incredible technology in person and are excited to learn more about its potential."

The project has been under discussion since 2016, but the environmental review has been paused twice. It has remained paused since 2021.

The Federal Railroad Administration announced that it will end its "involvement in the environmental review process," putting up a roadblock that prevents the project from proceeding.

The Railroad Administration said its decision to nix the project "does not preclude the future deployment of SCMAGLEV technology in the United States."

"FRA has concluded the Project, as planned, will result in significant, unresolvable impacts to federal agencies and federal property," Acting FRA Administrator Drew Feeley said in a Thursday letter first reviewed by Maryland Matters and later obtained independently by Patch. "In addition, given the substantial delay and cost overruns associated with the Project, FRA does not see a viable path to continue investment in the Project. Our understanding is that MDOT agrees with these conclusions and supports the termination of the Agreement."

The U.S. Department of Transportation previously estimated that the project would cost nearly $20 billion to build, Maryland Matters reported.

Northeast Maglev said it has invested nearly $158 million, representing 86% of the total investment in the project. That's $7 for each dollar of federal government investment. The State of Maryland did not invest a single dollar, Northeast Maglev said.

"It is our sincere hope that future leaders will recognize the promise of high-speed rail, the adoption of new technology, and the opportunity to reclaim America's transportation dominance to the benefit of its citizens," Northeast Maglev said. "While this decision is a setback, it is not the end. We remain committed to the promise of high-speed rail in the United States and will continue pushing forward to bring innovative, sustainable, and world-class transportation to the Northeast Corridor."

The Maryland Department of Transportation acknowledged the FRA's decision.

"MDOT understands that FRA's decision reflects the significant challenges posed by the project, including substantial impacts to federal agencies and federal property," then Maryland Transportation Secretary Paul Wiedefeld said in a Thursday letter obtained by Patch. "MDOT will comply with FRA's request to submit the final reports necessary to terminate and close out Cooperative Agreement No. FR-MPS-0002-16. Our team will coordinate with the FRA Project Manager to support that process moving forward. MDOT appreciates FRA's partnership in advancing rail infrastructure and safety improvements in the State of Maryland."

Wiedefeld's response to the FRA came on his last day at the helm of MDOT. Moore had previously announced that Wiedefeld would be leaving his post at the end of July.

Photos of Moore's ride aboard Japan's high-speed train are available here.

More information on the train's proposed operations is posted at northeastmaglev.com.