Mr. Katz said the corridor was attractive to Virgin Hyperloop and should be to federal officials as well because it would improve the movement of freight in an important part of the country. About 5.9 million tons of goods moved through the corridor in 2015, and that is expected to grow to 9 million tons by 2040 without hyperloop.
Pittsburgh’s leadership in transportation technology, particularly through Carnegie Mellon University, also is an advantage, he said. Ohio planners announced Wednesday the start of a Rapid-Speed Transportation Initiative, the feasibility and environmental impact studies expected to cost about $2.5 million. The two studies are an outgrowth of the commission’s previous effort to study passenger service from Columbus to Chicago and now will review rail service throughout the 488-mile corridor as well.
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