Flint, MI
Stop on the proposed 17,000-mile maglev network. Next stop: Sterling Heights, MI (44.8 mi).
About Flint
Flint, occasionally flintstone (SiO2), is a sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as the variety of chert that occurs in chalk or marly limestone. Historically, flint was widely used to make stone tools and start fires.
Source: Wikipedia summary (full article). Population and facts as published there.
Cost breakdown (proposal-scale estimates — see math)
| Item | Basis | Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal construction | Mid-size terminal (parametric range $1-2B) | $1.5B |
| Land acquisition | Regional factor 1× on $200M base | $200M |
| Track: Flint → Sterling Heights | 44.8 mi × $500M/mi | $22.4B |
| Annual operations (share) | Staffing, power, maintenance | $30M/yr |
| Stop total (excl. annual ops) | $24.1B |
Best terminal location (proposed)
The downtown district around the former Grand Trunk station. Flint's downtown still centers on its rail heritage near the former Grand Trunk station, with the Durant-Dort district and the cultural center nearby. The active rail corridors through the city offer guideway right-of-way, and the site connects the Vehicle City directly to the Detroit corridor.
Before / after
Aerial mock-up (illustrative, not an engineering rendering). Left: the proposed site today. Right: with the maglev terminal.
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