Pittsburgh area urban maglev moves ahead

[PghUSA]

Other then the "big" maglev projects in Baltimore/DC and Metro Pittsburgh from the West Hills (Airport) to the East Hills (Greensburgh/Latrobe, Arnold Palmer Airport), a Maglev project that has flown under the radar for a long time is the one in Pittsburgh's Steel Valley at California University (and yes it was founded BEFORE its west coast conterpart U. of California . . . seems like the Golden state wanted to be like Pittsburgh ).

For the full article click:http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stor.../11/story5.html

Excerpt:

"World's first urban maglev coming soon

Federal project to test system at university

Jennifer Curry PITTSBURGH BUSINESS TIMES

Urban maglev may not be an urban myth for much longer.

. . If the government-funded demonstration project at California University is successful, cities throughout the country could replace their subway systems with this new technology.

. . .

Depending on how much money comes through, construction could begin as early as this year and the first stage could be finished in 12 to 18 months.

Once the California University system is complete, it will run two miles and connect the city of California, the two campuses of the university and a senior center.

. . . .

Mr. O'Loughlin said an urban maglev system would be three times less costly to build and four times less costly to operate and maintain than a light rail system. In addition, it would have no noise and would help to reduce pollution.

U.S. Rep. John Murtha, who has worked to secure funding for the project, said the investment in the system would also help the local region.

"If this system becomes the standard for future improvements to urban mass transit systems across the nation as we expect, production would create hundreds of local jobs and contribute significantly to the economic turnaround under way in the region," Mr. Murtha said.

"I believe once this technology has been demonstrated full scale that a new manufacturing industry is going to grow up right here in Western Pennsylvania," he said . . . "