PITTSBURGH — Penn Hills officials plan to continue lobbying for a stop on the proposed maglev high-speed rail system for the Pittsburgh area, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
Two areas that remain under consideration for passenger stations, or “magports,” are Monroeville near the Pennsylvania Turnpike and just over the border in Penn Hills at the Thompson Run Industrial Park.
“If it goes through, one of the toughest decisions is going to be which magport station is selected for the east,” Penn Hills Planning and Economic Development Director Howard Davidson told council.
Davidson pointed out that the addition of an on-ramp for the proposed Mon-Fayette Expressway at Thompson Run Road could help move Penn Hills off the contingency plan.
“It seems to be a perfect fit,” said Penn Hills Mayor William DeSantis. “A location in Penn Hills would be more regionalized. But we must start lobbying like Monroeville has been doing.”
The magnetic levitation transportation system is being considered for either Baltimore or Pittsburgh, with the latter proposed route linking with Greensburg. A decision is not expected until 2003.