Hyperloop Midwest Connect Initiative - MORPC

CONTACT INFORMATION

Thea (Walsh) Ewing
614.233.4160
twalsh@morpc.org

Imagine traveling to Chicago or Pittsburgh from the Columbus Region in less than 30 minutes. That possibility is what we are exploring as part of our Hyperloop initiative – Midwest Connect. Together with the Columbus Partnership and numerous partners, our proposed route would link the three cities through construction of a Hyperloop system.

What is Hyperloop?

Hyperloop is a new mode of transportation that moves freight and people quickly and safely. Passengers or cargo are loaded into the Hyperloop pod vehicle and accelerate gradually via electric propulsion through a low-pressure tube. The pod quickly lifts above the track using magnetic levitation and glides at airline speeds for long distances. Hyperloop systems will be built on columns or tunneled below ground.

Hyperloop One Global Challenge Winner

Our Midwest Connect corridor proposal was named one of ten winners in the Hyperloop One Global Challenge in September 2017. This challenge attracted Hyperloop corridor proposals from 2,600 registrants in more than 100 countries across the globe. We now have the opportunity to work with Virgin Hyperloop One to study the feasibility of bringing its Hyperloop technology to Central Ohio and the Midwest.

Virgin Hyperloop One is a leading company developing Hyperloop technology and is currently testing Hyperloop in Nevada. In its announcement of winning routes, the company acknowledged our strong public and private stakeholder involvement and the potential to create a megaregion by linking the Chicago, Columbus, and Pittsburgh regions.

“A Hyperloop connecting Pittsburgh, Columbus, and Chicago would create a Midwest megaregion to rival the country’s coastal economic powerhouses. The proposal was chosen for the unique opportunity to realize this vision: there is currently no direct freight or passenger rail connection along the corridor, resulting in untapped economic potential; Hyperloop would transform the movement of goods and people in the Midwest, and leapfrog these communities into the next century.”

Hyperloop One

Next Steps

We have launched our Rapid Speed Transportation Initiative with Virgin Hyperloop One and many other partners throughout the corridor to advance a feasibility study for the corridor. You can learn more about the Rapid Speed Transportation Initiative here.

For more information, contact Thea (Walsh) Ewing at 614.233.4160.