While you may not have heard about MagLev for years, it is still on the planning docket of the transportation and transit agencies.  It can be suddenly awakened and even fast-tracked, catching you and community leaders off guard.  Recent revelations in the news raise concerns that the project could become very active in short order. 

In the 1990's members of the Citizen Advisory Panel of the Southwestern Pennsylvania Regional Planning Commission were told that MagLev -- a magnetic levitation transit system built 30 feet in the air  -- would go from Greensburg to the City of Pittsburgh and then out the middle of a new turnpike to be built through the "West End" of Pittburgh.  There were no more specifics about its exact path, other than that it would consist of a turnpike with an extra wide median strip connected to the existing airport expressway which goes from the old Parkway out to the airport.  The existing airport access section was built with MagLev in mind, having its wide center available for the MagLev track.

It was disclosed in the New York Times on October 25, 2025 that Timothy Mellon, a recluse multi-billionaire heir to the Mellon fortune, had given $130 million to pay for military personnel salaries at the request of the President.  His name was supposed to be kept secret, but was confirmed by two sources.  This should raise an alarm for District 2.

Mr. Mellon is listed as being invested in transportation investments worldwide.  This fits with discussion in the past of the Mellons having invested heavily in the MagLev project, expecting $ Billions from federal funding to build it.   Should the project receive federal funding, he and the others would stand to make $ billions on their investment.

With the President being highly transactional in his leadership, expecting to get something before giving anything, and with his fascination with high tech, it is easy to expect that the project could be awakened in short order.  With the President's penchant for acting precipitously, as with the recent sudden demolition of the White House East Wing, it is not inconceivable that similar rapidity could grace the MagLev project before residents could organize to protect their neighborhood.

This is an existential threat to neighborhoods on the west side of District 2.  Residents and especially voters, need to take action now!

David Tessitor is the only candidate for City Council with a history of standing up to the speculators, and he has the distinction of being considered the speculators' number one obstacle.  His proposal for a simpler, more easily buildable connection between the City and the airport is an alternative that can save District 2 from massive destruction.  He appears on your ballot with A Better Pittsburgh as his affiliation.  You can visit his campaign website at:  Elect-Dave.com to learn more that you can do.