Seize the moment with a maglev train project

Robert J. Coullahan, Henderson

Friday, Jan. 2, 2009 | 2:02 a.m.

In his Dec. 25 letter to the editor, Philip Jordan characterizes a maglev system as “a bone-headed idea.” I respectfully disagree. We can seize the leadership of green transportation with viable second-generation maglev technology now capable of freight transport, or we can export jobs and resources for others to build the next generation of transportation infrastructure.

The oil shock and financial meltdown deserve a bold, visionary response. Economic recovery and technology-based jobs in Nevada can be bolstered if the Obama administration initiates funding for a much-needed National Maglev Test and Certification Facility. It is projected that the test program would create 6,000 jobs. Following certification, the privately financed network would create an estimated 1.2 million jobs for domestic transport needs.

We need the imagination, vision and risk-taking that generations before us employed to build this great country. Some said the automobile would never replace the horse and carriage. Others cautioned that an airplane would never fly because it was simply too dangerous. Maglev is now ready for prime time. Our “greener, cleaner” leadership needs to grab hold and take this ride into our future.

This is a “build American, buy American” opportunity not seen in decades. Through visionary action, Nevada helped America rise up from the Great Depression with the engineering endeavor that created the Hoover Dam; so too can the Eldorado Valley of Nevada provide the center of gravity for the National Maglev Transportation and Certification Facility — another big and bold endeavor — launching our nation’s green transportation future.