Maglev train plan takes a puzzling turn
The magnetic levitation train proposal appeared to glide ahead of its rival DesertXpress when the governor announced Wednesday that the Federal Railroad Administration released $45 million to Nevada transportation officials to begin the project.
But the "maglev" train's momentum was stalled Thursday when the railroad administration made an announcement of its own: Gibbons' declaration was not true.
"The Federal Railroad Administration has made neither an award nor an announcement with regard to funding for maglev development in Nevada," said spokesman Mark Paustenbach.
Maglev is competing with DesertXpress to provide residents a high-speed train between Southern California and Las Vegas.
Gibbons' spokesman, Daniel Burns, acknowledged Thursday that the state has not yet received the $45 million, but he expects it to be dedicated to the California-Nevada Interstate Maglev Project next week.
"The package isn't going to arrive until next week, but this deal is done," Burns said, adding that construction could begin in 18 months.
Gibbons' premature announcement and subsequent comments about Sen. Harry Reid's leadership has sparked a feud between the governor and the Senate majority leader.
Reid set aside $45 million for the maglev project more than a year ago. In July, Reid expressed frustration that the maglev project had made no progress and had yet to secure the required 20 percent match in private funding. Reid publicly supported the DesertXpress plan.
"Maglev has been talking about it for 30 years, but they have not made any progress on it," Reid spokesman Jon Summers said. "It's the reason he changed his support to DesertXpress. They've made more progress the last couple years than maglev has in the last 30."
Reid said he preferred the privately funded DesertXpress and wants to use the $45 million earmarked for maglev on other transportation projects throughout the state, Summers said.
The maglev train, powered by magnets to suspend the cars above a guideway, would provide an 81-minute trip to Anaheim, Calif., at speeds of 310 miles per hour. The first segment of the railway would travel to Primm.
The DesertXpress would travel on steel wheels and operate at speeds up to 150 miles per hour. It would ultimately deliver passengers to various areas of Southern California after a new transfer station is built in Palmdale, Calif. Initially, the train will provide a 84-minute ride to Victorville, Calif.
On Thursday, the train war opened up an opportunity for the two politicians and their parties to rail about each other.
"How can you stand in the way of this type of project?" Burns said. "It creates jobs and brings in tourists. Those are the two things the governor is focusing on right now. Those are the two things Sen. Reid should be focusing on right now if he cares about the people of Nevada."
Summers reiterated that Reid worked to secure the $45 million with those same priorities in mind.
"He just wants to get something done and create jobs in the process," Summers said. "Right now, it appears to be DesertXpress."
Phoebe Sweet, communication director for the state's Democratic Party, also chimed in, criticizing Gibbons for taking credit for securing stimulus funding and failing to expeditiously spend the money on transportation projects.
"For Gibbons to crow about securing funding he not only had nothing to do with, but actually opposed at one point, would ordinarily be laughable," Sweet said. "But when the state is lagging behind on spending federal stimulus dollars designed to create jobs while Nevada's unemployment rate tops 12 percent, it's practically criminal."
Burns said Gibbons is "mystified" that Reid will no longer support the maglev project.
"The governor doesn't understand why the senator seems to be married to the older technology," Burns said. "It's the difference between a covered wagon and a NASCAR race car."
Reid, according to Summers, doesn't care which technology is chosen as long as something is built soon.
"For him, the technology is secondary; it's just getting the job done," Summers said.
Contact reporter Adrienne Packer at apacker@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904.
comments about Sen. Harry Reid's leadership has sparked a feud between the governor and the Senate majority leader.
Reid set aside $45 million for the maglev project more than a year ago. In July, Reid expressed frustration that the maglev project had made no progress and had yet to secure the required 20 percent match in private funding. Reid publicly supported the DesertXpress plan.
"Maglev has been talking about it for 30 years, but they have not made any progress on it," Reid spokesman Jon Summers said. "It's the reason he changed his support to DesertXpress. They've made more progress the last couple years than maglev has in the last 30."
Reid said he preferred the privately funded DesertXpress and wants to use the $45 million earmarked for maglev on other transportation projects throughout the state, Summers said.
The maglev train, powered by magnets to suspend the cars above a guideway, would provide an 81-minute trip to Anaheim, Calif., at speeds of 310 miles per hour. The first segment of the railway would travel to Primm.
The DesertXpress would travel on steel wheels and operate at speeds up to 150 miles per hour. It would ultimately deliver passengers to various areas of Southern California after a new transfer station is built in Palmdale, Calif. Initially, the train will provide a 84-minute ride to Victorville, Calif.
On Thursday, the train war opened up an opportunity for the two politicians and their parties to rail about each other.
"How can you stand in the way of this type of project?" Burns said. "It creates jobs and brings in tourists. Those are the two things the governor is focusing on right now. Those are the two things Sen. Reid should be focusing on right now if he cares about the people of Nevada."
Summers reiterated that Reid worked to secure the $45 million with those same priorities in mind.
"He just wants to get something done and create jobs in the process," Summers said. "Right now, it appears to be DesertXpress."
Phoebe Sweet, communication director for the state's Democratic Party, also chimed in, criticizing Gibbons for taking credit for securing stimulus funding and failing to expeditiously spend the money on transportation projects.
"For Gibbons to crow about securing funding he not only had nothing to do with, but actually opposed at one point, would ordinarily be laughable," Sweet said. "But when the state is lagging behind on spending federal stimulus dollars designed to create jobs while Nevada's unemployment rate tops 12 percent, it's practically criminal."
Burns said Gibbons is "mystified" that Reid will no longer support the maglev project.
"The governor doesn't understand why the senator seems to be married to the older technology," Burns said. "It's the difference between a covered wagon and a NASCAR race car."
Reid, according to Summers, doesn't care which technology is chosen as long as something is built soon.
"For him, the technology is secondary; it's just getting the job done," Summers said.
Contact reporter Adrienne Packer at apacker@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2904.
