Independence, MO
Stop on the proposed 17,000-mile maglev network. Next stop: Kansas City, MO (8.9 mi).
About Independence
Independence is a condition of a nation, country, or state, in which residents and population, or some portion thereof, exercise self-government, and usually sovereignty, over its territory. The opposite of independence is the status of a dependent territory or colony. The commemoration of the independence day of a country or nation celebrates when a country is free from all forms of colonialism; free to build a country or nation without any interference from other nations.
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: Independence → Kansas City | 8.9 mi × $500M/mi | $4.45B |
| Annual operations (share) | Staffing, power, maintenance | $30M/yr |
| Stop total (excl. annual ops) | $6.15B |
Best terminal location (proposed)
The Independence Square district. Independence Square's historic courthouse district draws Truman-library tourists year-round, with the surrounding blocks mixing surface lots and redevelopable parcels. The site sits on the corridor between downtown Kansas City and the eastern suburbs, catching both commuters and visitors.
Before / after
Aerial mock-up (illustrative, not an engineering rendering). Left: the proposed site today. Right: with the maglev terminal.
- Sugar Creek, MO - small city on the corridor west
- Raytown, MO - suburb on the route to Kansas City
- Corridor note: no third town fits - this 8.9-mile hop runs through continuous metro