(7/18/2024) Project update provided.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) released the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS), Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation, and Draft Section 106 Programmatic Agreement (PA) on January 15, 2021. The DEIS, Draft Section 4(f) Evaluation, and the Draft PA can be viewed below. For additional information on where the DEIS can be viewed, please visit the SCMAGLEV Project website. 

In accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), 42 U.S.C. § 4321 et seq., FRA, as lead federal agency, and the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), the project sponsor, are preparing an Environmental Impact Statement for a proposed superconducting maglev system between Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC (the Project). The effort stems from the 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users, in which Congress authorized funding to study maglev transportation projects.

In August 2021, FRA and MDOT paused the environmental review process for the Baltimore-Washington Superconducting Magnetic Levitation (SCMAGLEV) Project following the public comment period on the DEIS. The purpose of the pause was to allow FRA and MDOT to review project elements and determine next steps. In addition, MDOT, in consultation with FRA, reviewed project funding to continue the environmental review.

As part of the effort to review project elements, FRA and MDOT are currently meeting with potentially impacted federal agencies that commented on the DEIS, consistent with FRA's commitment in the DEIS to coordinate with the relevant regulatory agencies to further understand the potential impacts of the SCMAGLEV Project on federal property. FRA may coordinate with other participating agencies, as necessary.

At this time, the environmental review process remains paused. If FRA and MDOT determine it is appropriate to resume the environmental review process, FRA and MDOT will coordinate with cooperating and participating agencies before updating the Permitting Dashboard and will inform the public.

In addition, pertinent information can be found at the project's FRA webpage, https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P1068.

Cooperating Agencies: Federal Aviation Administration, Federal Transit Administration, National Capital Planning Commission, National Park Service, Surface Transportation Board, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, National Security Agency, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.