Japan Authorizes $2M to Study High Speed Train In Maryland
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Japanese Ambassador to the United States Kenichiro Sasae says Japan has authorized $2 million to support a feasibility study of building a high-speed train between Baltimore and Washington.
Ambassador Kenichiro Sasae made the announcement Wednesday after signing a Memorandum of Cooperation between Maryland and Japan with Gov. Larry Hogan. The agreement formalizes trade relations between Maryland and Japan.
In November, the federal government awarded nearly $28 million in seed money to a private venture that seeks to build a high-speed magnetic levitation train between Washington and Baltimore. There is a 20 percent outside match required, and the $2 million from Japan will go toward that 20 percent.
The money is for planning and an engineering analysis for the train, which could carry passengers from Washington to Baltimore in 15 minutes.
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