The above map shows a MVMI proposed monobeam or monorail system beginning with Montgomery County and northern Prince George’s County where studies have shown the demand is the greatest for rail. See diagrams to view the differences between monobeam and monorail systems.

The objective is to serve the needs of most people in the most cost-effective way. The BWI Airport, the University of Maryland and the College Park METRO, the connection with other METRO lines and a link to the Virginia monobeam/monorail system in Tysons and on to Dulles Airport were driving factors for this.

Elevated monobeam rail is chosen since it goes as fast as heavy rail such as METRO but costs about 4-5 times less and is less obtrusive. Also, monobeam is faster and has more capacity than trolleys (light rail), is not as obtrusive as trolley, is much safer and takes less energy to operate. See the monorails.org web site.

PRIORITY 1 - (15 miles)

Montgomery Mall to New Carrollton METRO via College Park

Montgomery Mall

Rock Spring

Grosvenor METRO Red Line

Kensington

Wheaton METRO Red Line

Four Corners (US-29 and University Blvd.)

Langley Park Transit Center

University of Maryland

College Park METRO

New Carrollton METRO

PRIORITY 2 - via US-29 (12 miles)

Silver Spring to the Muirkirk/US-1/ICC/MARC Rail Transit Center

Silver Spring

Four Corners (University Blvd. east-west connection)

White Oak/FDA Transportation Center (click for JPG graphic)

Westfarm Business Park

Calverton Business Park

Ammendale Business Park

Muirkirk Transportation Center

PRIORITY 3 - (23 miles)

College Park to BWI Airport via US-1

College Park

Beltsville

Muirkirk Transportation Center

Laurel

Other Points along US-1

BWI Amtrak Station

BWI Terminal

PRIORITY 4 - (10 miles)

Montgomery Mall to Tysons via I-270 and the Legion Bridge

Montgomery Mall to Dulles Airport is about 22 miles.

NOTE: Monobeams can be attached unobtrusively to sides of structures such as bridges.

Estimated costs to construct 25 miles of elevated monobeams (two-way simultaneous travel) including vehicles, stations, maintenance facility, administration and control center exclusive of right-of ways and other enhancements is about $600 million. It is expected that monobeam rails would be built above existing arterial roads (not Interstates) and other government owned property to provide access with people oriented activity centers.