Firm wins contract to aid Maryland, others looking into maglev trains

A Connecticut-based company will provide support to Maryland and six other applicants studying whether a magnetic levitation train would work in their areas.

U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater announced Friday that MK Centennial, based in Hamden, Conn., has been awarded the federal contract to provide engineering services, professional staff and other assistance to Maryland, Pittsburgh, New Orleans, Atlanta, Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Port Canaveral, Fla. The contract amount was not immediately available.

Maglev trains rely on magnetic fields that float cars along guideways friction-free at speeds of more than 240 mph.

In Maryland, a proposal is being weighed that would create a line between Camden Yards in Baltimore and Union Station in Washington, reducing the commuting time between the cities to 16 minutes.

Pub Date: 6/28/99