Let's Derail U.S. Maglev Plans

摘要

Want to take a fast multi-billion-dollar ride to a dead end? Taxpayers soon will if the Federal Railroad Administration continues to railroad through plansrnfor the nation's first commercial train operated with magnetic levitation. Seven authorities in six states shared a first-round allocation of $12.2 million inrnmaglev planning awards. Last month in one of its last acts, the Clinton administration promised up to $55 million in second-round funds to both the Pittsburgh and Washington-Baltimore areas to refine plans for a maglev pilot project. Whichever area succeeds may receive another $950 million under the 1998 Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century.