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Musk: Verbal Approval Given For D.C. To NYC Train, Trip Would Take 29 Minutes

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- Elon Musk tweeted Thursday that his infrastructure and tunneling company has received verbal approval to build an underground train that would allow for travel between D.C. and New York in 29 minutes.

Musk, the name behind Tesla cars, dropped the major announcement on Twitter, claiming he has the government's support to build a super speed underground transportation system on the East Coast.

The train would have stops in Baltimore and Philadelphia, as well.

Even though some commuters are extremely skeptical about a possible supersonic transportation system.

The brains behind the technology said it's happening faster than you think.

It's called Hyperloop and it turns out engineers have already tested out the technology in the Nevada desert.

It would use Musk's Hyperloop design, which involves reduced-pressure tubes and pressurized capsules that ride on an air cushion.

Tubes would travel underground transporting people at almost supersonic speeds. Similar plans are already in the works in California.

"It sounds like really exciting technology and something that we'd be excited to learn more about," said Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan.

"With all the partners sitting down, all the players sit down and say 'OK, what would it cost, what do we need to do?" I think it's doable," said Ed Reisinger of the Baltimore City Council.

In the business community, the talk is all about how a Hyperloop stop in Baltimore could transform the State.

"He's a creative billionaire with lots of dreams and it's nice for us to be included in the dreams. A lot of times we feel like Baltimore is left out," said Kirby Fowler of the Downtown Partnership.

But there is plenty of skepticism especially because other high tech, high speed projects have not taken off and it could take decades for Hyperloop to get approval.

"This Hyperloop thing, I'm just super skeptical," traveler Hieu Truong said.

"Fascinating, it sounds science fiction. I'm skeptical. It would be nice to connect Baltimore and D.C. in 29 minutes," one woman said.

"The lady in front of me doesn't see it happening in her life time, I definitely see it happening in my lifetime," a man said.

The CEO for Hyperloop Technologies has an ambitious timeline. He said design and production will begin somewhere in the world within three years and moving people and cargo within five years.

Musk admits he still has a long way to go to get formal approval.

Baltimore Mayor Catherine Pugh released the following statement on the plan:

"I am excited to hear about Elon Musk's underground Hyperloop connecting New York to Washington, DC through Baltimore. If his plan becomes a reality it has tremendous potential to create new opportunities for Baltimore and transform the way we link to neighboring cities."

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