WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new high-speed rail line could cut right through Howard County’s newest upscale development, and the prospect has thrown Rouse Co. executives and local officials into a bit of a frenzy. Some residents aren’t feeling so comfortable either, the Washington Post reports.
The Maglev train has been in the planning stages for several years. Maryland is now one of two finalists for federal money for the project. But Howard County residents and officials just recently learned that one of three possible routes in Maryland would slice through Rouse’s new Emerson project along Interstate 95 near Route 216.
Rouse officials fear that even the specter of a high-speed railroad could deter potential buyers. “This kind of thing can kind of linger in this never-never land,” said Alton J. Scavo, a Rouse senior vice president. “That’s the worst of all worlds because no one can make an informed decision.”
The Howard route also would cross a smaller community, known as Lennox Park, along Route 103 near the Dorsey MARC commuter rail station. Two other routes under consideration would cut through Anne Arundel.
The Maryland Transit Administration hastily scheduled a public information meeting for Tuesday at Murray Hill Middle School in North Laurel after local officials complained they lacked details about the high-tech train, known as Maglev because it is propelled by magnetic levitation.
Some elected Howard officials and others argue that the high-speed train, which would travel between Baltimore and Washington without stopping in Howard, would be a waste of money and not serve local commuters.
Maryland began vying for a Maglev train line after Congress authorized special funding to use the new technology commercially. Last year, the list of contenders was narrowed to Pittsburgh and the Baltimore-Washington corridor.
The proposed line would run from Baltimore to Baltimore-Washington International Airport and into downtown Washington. The trip would take just over 19 minutes, according to state officials, who said the train could reach speeds of 240 miles per hour.
Officials in the Baltimore-Washington area are hoping to land the Maglev and use it in their bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics. Maryland received federal money to study possible routes. Previously, the MTA had said the possible routes would run parallel to I-95, the Baltimore-Washington Parkway (Route 295) and the Amtrak line between Baltimore and Washington.
The last time county officials saw the plans was “quite some time ago,” said Carl S. Balser, the county’s chief of transportation planning. He said the I-95 route ran up the median and not through housing developments.
But several weeks ago, county resident Lora Muchmoresaw more recent plans that suggested the tracks would veer off I-95 and go through Emerson, a 570-acre community where more than 1,200 homes and apartments are planned. Some of the $400,000 to $500,000 homes are already under construction.
Muchmore, who lives near Emerson, called Rouse and started asking questions.
Scavo said he was frustrated to learn only recently about the route, despite years of discussions about Emerson with state officials.
“We started planning [Emerson] in 1996,” he said. “Now it’s 2002 and we’re just getting the project underway and this pops its head up.”
Muchmore and other local residents seem to share Rouse’s concern about the uncertainty surrounding the Maglev project.
“By putting out three alignments, they are possibly impacting the economies along all three,” Muchmore said.
The state project director for Maglev, Suhair Alkhatib, said the three possible routes will be narrowed to two after environmental impact studies are completed by the end of this year.
In 2003, federal officials are expected to decide between Maryland and Pittsburgh. If Maryland is selected, a public hearing process would be conducted before state officials settle on a route. Construction would start in 2004, and the train would begin taking riders in 2010.
But Del. Shane Pendergrass (D-Howard) and County Council member Guy J. Guzzone (D-Southeast County) wonder whether the $3.4 billion project was a good idea to begin with. Although Pendergrass has been criticized by Republicansfor voting for state money to study Maglev, she said she now agrees with Guzzone that money probably could be better spent on public transit that would serve more local commuters.
“Who is it serving?” Pendergrass asked. “It doesn’t solve the problem of getting people from Howard or Anne Arundel counties to work.”
The trip on Maglev would cost $26 each way, compared with $5.75 for the MARC train, $25 for regular Amtrak service and $38 for a one-way Metroliner ticket. Howard residents would have to travel to BWI to use it.
Meanwhile, County Executive James N. Robey (D) is keeping his options open. “We’re going to wait and see what the public has to say,” said spokeswoman Victoria Goodman.
The information session will be held from 4:30 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Murray Hill Middle School, 9989 Winter Sun Rd., Laurel. Transit officials will provide maps and be available to answer questions. Further information is available on www.bwmaglev.com.