MIA-Brickell Maglev
Airport to Brickell in 8 minutes, every 4 minutes.
The pitch
A 14-mile maglev shuttle running underground for the urban segment and elevated through Doral. MIA to Brickell in 8 minutes door-to-door. One transfer to the Tri-Rail / Brightline system at MiamiCentral. Cuts MIA-Brickell from a 35-minute Uber to a coffee.
Why now
MIA is the busiest international gateway in the Americas after JFK and the airport-to-downtown experience is its weakest link. Tourism, business travel, and conference traffic all suffer the same friction. Maglev is operational in Shanghai (since 2003) and Japan (Chuo Shinkansen tested at 374 mph). Cost has fallen as Chinese export financing makes the technology bid-able.
Where it fits
Underground stations at MIA, Doral City Place, Civic Center, MiamiCentral, Brickell. Open trench through Doral with a noise-shielded cover. Direct interchange with Brightline to Orlando.
Specs · back of the envelope
- › Length: 14.2 miles · 5 stations
- › Top speed: 220 mph (urban operating speed: 140 mph)
- › Headway: 4 minutes
- › Capacity: 1,200 passengers per train
- › Estimated cost: $4.8B–$6.3B · 9-year build
- › Operator: public-private (FDOT + concessionaire)