Rushern Baker said he likes the idea of high-speed magnetic levitating train that would travel between Baltimore and Washington, but he won’t fully support it until he knows what the exact route will be.
The Northeast Maglev, the company pushing for the train, and Baltimore Washington Rapid Rail, the company that would develop it, are planning a 300-mph train that would take passengers between Baltimore and Washington in 15 minutes, with a stop at BWI/Marshall Airport. The project has support from people including Gov. Larry Hogan and Under Armour Inc. CEO Kevin Plank, but faces opposition from community organizations and lawmakers in Prince George’s County and its municipalities.
Baker, the county executive of Prince George’s County who is running for the Democratic nomination for governor, declined to say whether he supports or opposes the project during an interview in Annapolis on Jan. 12. He said he has had meetings recently with his public works and transportation teams, as well as the team from Baltimore Washington Rapid Rail.
“We want to make sure, and it’s a study, that as it goes forward that the community is involved in it and what route it will actually take,” Baker said. “We had a really productive meeting with the folks proposing it and look forward to continuing that and knowing exactly which route it is going to take.”