A recent poll conducted by Lake Research Partners indicates broad support for the Northeast Maglev, a high-speed train proposed to connect Washington and Baltimore in 15 minutes. According to the survey, 67% of Maryland voters support the project, while 18% oppose it. However, the poll was commissioned by Northeast Maglev, the private company leading the project, raising questions about potential biases.
The Lake Research Partners poll, conducted from January 8-13, 2025, surveyed 500 likely voters with a margin of error of 4.4%. The data suggests that support for the 311 MPH superconducting magnetic levitation train, modeled after Japan’s bullet train, extends across gender, racial, and regional lines. Notably, 76% of Black voters, 72% of people of color, and 62% of White voters favor the project. Regional approval is similarly strong, with 76% of Baltimore-area respondents and 72% of Washington-area voters in favor.
Wayne Rogers, Chairman of Northeast Maglev, argues that the project would boost Maryland’s economy by creating 74,000 construction jobs and 1,500 permanent jobs annually, adding $6.5 billion to the economy. However, these figures originate from studies commissioned by the company itself, and independent assessments of economic feasibility remain limited.
The project, still in the federal environmental review process, is touted as a solution to Maryland’s worsening traffic congestion and aging infrastructure. It will be funded without state taxpayer money, relying instead on private and federal transportation loans as well as foreign investment. Critics remain cautious about the financial and environmental impact, particularly regarding land use and potential displacement concerns.
While pollsters from Lake Research Partners highlight the “stunningly positive” public response, they also acknowledge low awareness of the project among voters. The Northeast Maglev team expects support to increase as more details become public.
The Northeast Maglev Press Release:
3-12-25-MAGLEV-PRESS-RELEASE.pdf- 2025-03-12_Northease Maglev Press Release
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Note: The survey was conducted among 500 voters. No information is available on the type of survey. The study itself is not yet available and its quality and representativeness cannot be verified.
Lake Research Partners is a national public opinion and political strategy research firm founded by Celinda Lake in 1995. Based in Washington, D.C., the company has established itself as a leading Democratic polling and research organization
Specialization: The firm focuses on political polling, strategy research, and public opinion analysis for progressive causes and Democratic candidates
Clientele: Lake Research Partners works with a diverse range of clients, including Democratic politicians, labor unions, advocacy groups, non-profit organizations, and left-leaning foundations
Notable Clients:
Presidential campaigns of Joe Biden, Hillary Clinton, and Bill Clinton
Democratic National Committee and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee
Labor organizations like AFL-CIO, AFSCME, and AFT
Advocacy groups including Planned Parenthood, ACLU, and NARAL Pro-Choice America