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Virginia Beach to receive state grant for light rail extension
Maglev would be overkill; totally unneeded
I agree with Mel & Mo. Absolutely unnecessary.
Two and 1/2 miles of mag-lev! What would the top speed be: 40mph?
The mag lev folks claim they can build it at a fraction of the price of the conventional light rail. Problem is that they failed to make one work in Norfolk after lots of money and time. One of their big selling points is also that since they are elevated, they would eliminate the multiple grade crossings on the line. Thing is though, a monorail would do the same thing and is proven technology. So far though the routes are not settled. I live in Va. Beach and the mag lev folks proposed to try a line at the oceanfront a number of years ago and it never happened.
It was at all maglev, but Westinghouse once tried to convince Pittsburgh, PA on its fixed-guideway, rubber-tired SkyBus as an alternative to modern light rail. Wiser heads argued for going with a proven technology. Today we have two conventional light rail lines, built partly on former dedicated trolley R-O-W, providing dependable, much used service.
Mag-lev is still way ahead of its time. Great idea for long-distance high-speed routes, but 2 and a half miles? That VA Becah maglev was first proposed back in the late 1970’s as “rapid transit”. Stick with the light rail extension.
Thank heavens the nation’s economy is so healthy we have money for nice to haves.
The Federal government has a deficit of $600 billion at present and a debt of $18 trillion.
The state of Virginia has $66 billion in debt, and our roads are in atrocious shape.