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(Baltimore, MD - June 7, 2002) Following a review of three
alternative alignments for the Baltimore-Washington Magnetic
Levitation (Maglev) Project, the Maryland Transit Administration
(MTA) is recommending the Amtrak parallel alignment be retained
for detailed study in the Environmental Impact Statement as
the "build" alternative. A "no-build"
alternative will also be included. Under the recommendation,
the I-95 parallel and the Baltimore-Washington Parkway parallel
alignments will not be studied further. This recommendation,
based on environmental and engineering analysis, public and
agency comments, is subject to concurrence from various federal
and natural resource and regulatory agencies.
In addition, options were considered for the project north
of BWI Airport for the Linthicum area. The MTA is recommending
that only the alignments along West Nursery Road and MD 295
be studied further. Alignments closer to residences in Linthicum
will not be studied further.
Maglev uses non-contact electromagnetic energy to lift, guide
and propel the vehicle forward at speeds up to 240 miles per
hour. The MTA has been studying three alternative alignments
for Maglev in a 40-mile corridor from Baltimore to Washington
with an intermediate station at BWI Airport under a national
Maglev deployment program. The three alternative alignments
underwent a screening process to determine which alternatives
to retain for further study.
The screening process determined that the I-95 parallel alignment
had unacceptable community impacts and significant engineering
challenges. The dislocation and disruption impacts of this
alternative on residences, businesses and minority and low-income
communities is significant. It was also determined that the
Baltimore-Washington Parkway parallel alternative has significant
impacts on parkland, known historic sites, wetlands and rare
and endangered species.
The Amtrak parallel is a feasible and constructable alternative
that satisfies the purpose and need of the project at this
time. Fewer environmental impacts are identified with this
alignment than exist with the two alignments recommended for
elimination from further study.
The decision follows public meetings held through the region
by the MTA. Almost 1,000 comments were received by the time
the public comment period ended on May 17.
"Our job was to get as much information as possible
into the public's hands," said Diane H. Ratcliff, Environmental
Manager for the project. "The comments we received were
thorough, comprehensive and assisted us in reaching this recommendation
for the project. We thank those who participated in providing
the MTA with their comments."
The next phase of the study is to undertake detailed examination
of the Amtrak parallel and "no- build" alternatives.
The "no-build" alternative is always carried forward
into the next phase of analysis, and includes only the projects
that are part of adopted long-range transportation plans for
the corridor. The findings of these studies will be published
in a Draft Environmental Impact Statement and submitted to
the Federal Railroad Administration this fall.
In-depth evaluation of the environmental, historical and
socioeconomic features along the Amtrak parallel alternative
alignment will be conducted. This evaluation will use both
field analysis and existing geographic information systems
databases. Special studies will be conducted to look at sensitive
design areas such as heavily developed areas and key natural
resource areas. Throughout the preparation of the DEIS, the
MTA will work closely with the communities, business, and
environmental agencies to determine project features.
The Baltimore-Washington corridor is one of two being considered
by the FRA for construction of the nation's first Maglev project.
In spring 2003, the FRA is scheduled to select a single project
for construction. In addition to the alternatives analysis
process, the MTA is coordinating other activities and studies,
including preparation of passenger projections and revenue
forecasts; estimates of capital and operating costs; identification
of benefits; and preparation of a public/private partnership
plan for planning, design, construction, financing and operation
of the project.
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