PITTSBURGH -- State legislators heard testimony on Friday morning supporting the idea of building a Maglev high-speed rail system in Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Bill George and U.S. Steel President John Surma were part of a panel that spoke to the House Transportation Committee at Carnegie Mellon University.

If the project is approved and comes to Pittsburgh, the plan is for the Maglev to run between the city and Pittsburgh International Airport.

Supporters hope the long-discussed rail system will see new life through the $787 billion federal stimulus package.

Previously, President Barack Obama outlined his plans for a high-speed rail network that would connect dozens of metropolitan areas around the country.

The "Keystone Corridor" in Obama's proposed network would run trains through Pittsburgh and Harrisburg before reaching the "Northeast Corridor" in Philadelphia, with connections to New York, Washington, Boston, Baltimore and other regional destinations.

• See The Keystone Corridor Map

Pittsburgh is competing against other cities for a share of $8 billion that Obama is making available to get the overall project started.

Previous Stories:

• April 16, 2009: Pittsburgh In Obama's Proposed High-Speed Train Network
• March 26, 2009: Pittsburgh Debuts New Airport Shuttle Service
• February 25, 2009: Stimulus Package Could Put Maglev Train Project Back On Track
• October 7, 2005: Maglev Train Project Open For Public Comment
• September 19, 2005: Maglev Train Project On Track

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