“The discussion about the prospects for monorail in the 270 corridor went very well, very positively — and that’s exciting,” Maier said of the meeting with Rahn. “We do appreciate Secretary Rahn’s interest, attention and initiative to include monorail in the environmental study process.”

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Rahn declined to say whether he had given the monorail advocates a thumbs up. When asked about his reported comments at the meeting, Rahn spokeswoman Erin Henson responded in an email with this statement attributed to the secretary: “It was a good meeting, and we look forward to continued discussions.”

Robert Eisinger, a Montgomery County developer, is promoting the idea of an elevated monorail adjacent to I-270 amid debate over Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan’s proposal to add toll lanes to I-270 and the Capital Beltway. Eisinger has touted a monorail as a fast, reliable and cost-effective way to relieve traffic congestion by taking thousands of motorists off the highway.

According to Eisinger, a privately funded consultant’s study estimated that the line could be built for $3.4 billion within the highway’s right of way, so no homes or private property would be affected.

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Eisinger’s idea has attracted interest among some Montgomery officials, particularly those who have said the Republican governor’s plan to relieve traffic by adding toll lanes needs to include more transit options.

Under Eisinger’s proposal, the trip between Frederick and Shady Grove would take 31 minutes, with trains stopping at six stations. He said that he does not have a plan for how to pay for the project but that it probably would entail a public-private partnership.