Alright, so the FRA finally pulled the plug on that Baltimore-Washington maglev train. Shocker. I mean, seriously, another pie-in-the-sky project bites the dust? Color me surprised. Not.
The "Unresolvable Impacts" Translation
Let's be real, "significant, unresolvable impacts?" That's bureaucrat-speak for "we screwed up big time." Twenty billion dollars? For a 15-minute commute between Baltimore and D.C.? Give me a break. You could buy a freakin' helicopter for that kinda money.
And don't even get me started on the "environmental review process." Paused since August 2021? What were they doing all that time? Twiddling their thumbs while the project spiraled further into the abyss?
Then there's this gem from Transportation Secretary Duffy: the project "lacked everything needed to be a success from planning to execution." Well, duh. That's like saying the Titanic had a minor plumbing issue.
So, Moore went to Japan and rode the maglev... big deal. Hogan did too. Did they think a joyride was gonna magically make the project feasible? Or that they are somehow experts after a single ride?
The "Missed Opportunity" Spin
Baltimore Washington Rapid Rail called it a "missed opportunity." Yeah, for them. Missed opportunity to line their pockets with taxpayer cash. They claimed it would create 160,000 jobs and $6 billion in private investment. Right. And I'm the Queen of England.
Let's not forget the lobbyists, Evans and Associates and Manis Canning and Associates, working their magic behind the scenes. I wonder how much they made before the whole thing went kaput? Probably enough to buy a small island.
And the whole "private investment" angle? Northeast Maglev claimed $158 million in private investments, or $7 for every $1 spent by the feds. Sounds great, but how much of that was just vaporware and empty promises?
I mean, maglev trains are cool and all. 311 miles per hour? That's impressive. But at what cost? The article mentions above-ground infrastructure, ventilation systems, emergency exits... even if it's entirely underground. So, it isn't entirely underground then? Maglev trains reach 600 km/h without touching tracks - Rolling Out
And get this: nearly 70% of the residents within the project’s “affected environment” were members of minority groups. Hmmm, anyone else smell an environmental justice issue here? Or am I just being cynical?
Offcourse, Northeast Maglev pledged to keep going... good luck with that. Who's gonna fund it now? Unicorn farts and rainbows?
The Future of Transportation?
So, what's the alternative? More of the same? Congested highways and crumbling infrastructure? The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law is throwing billions at the Northeast Corridor, but is it enough? Is it even the right approach? Maybe we should just invest in teleportation already.
Another Day, Another Disappointment
Look, I get it. High-speed rail is sexy. It's futuristic. It's the kind of thing that makes politicians feel important. But let's be real: this maglev train was a pipe dream from the start. A monument to misplaced priorities and wasted money. And honestly, I'm just tired of watching these boondoggles play out over and over again.
