MYNORTHWEST NEWS

Is there a place for a high speed rail in Washington after I-976?

Nov 13, 2019, 1:40 PM

High speed rail, Cascadia rail,...

Could a high speed rail work in Washington? (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

(AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File)

Despite the significant holes the implementation of I-976 will potentially put in Washington’s transportation budget, the push for a high speed rail connecting the state with Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, BC continues.

Northwest is closer to getting ultra high speed rail

This was evident at the Cascadia Rail Summit, where lawmakers, train companies, and high speed rail advocates met recently at Microsoft’s headquarters to discuss the future of the technology in Washington state.

At the summit — reported on by CBC News — WSDOT Secretary Roger Millar labeled the state’s system of highways, bridges, ferries, and rail cars as riding on “a glide path to failure.”

“Do you think we’ll ever get to a place where highway expansion keeps up with economic expansion and population?” he posited. “It will not happen.”

In response to the passing of I-976, Gov. Jay Inslee recently postponed all WSDOT projects not already underway. Despite that, he voiced his own support for a high speed rail at the summit in a video message to attendees.

A possible high speed rail system in the Pacific Northwest could see trains with maximum testing speeds of 250 miles per hour moving residents up and down the region. For reference, Amtrak’s Acela Express tops out at 154 miles an hour, but averages half that speed on its route between Washington, D.C. and Boston.

“It could be a game changer,” said WSDOT spokesperson Janet Matkin, speaking about the train last summer.

Millions to be spent on studying high-speed rail for Washington

At Microsoft’s Cascadia Rail Summit, attendees looked to lay a roadmap for a future where I-976 might gut transportation projects across Washington. The hope is to enlist the help of both private investors and federal partners both in Canada and the U.S.

Other funding ideas pitched at the summit included a carbon fee, property taxes tied to future rail stations, congestion pricing, and more.

By one recent estimate, the cost of a high speed rail system connecting British Columbia, Washington, and Oregon would run between $24 and $42 billion. A recent study estimated that the system could raise $165 million in annual revenue after a few years in operation.

The Canadian province and two states are currently partnered with Microsoft on a study to look into the feasibility — both financially and logistically — of a high speed rail in the so-called Cascadia region.

MyNorthwest News

Spanaway woman shot dead...

Kate Stone

Search for shooter continues after woman shot dead while driving in Spanaway

A 47-year-old woman was shot dead in Spanaway, causing her to hit another driver head-on early Wednesday morning.

38 minutes ago

nintendo redmond...

Frank Sumrall

Nintendo to lay off 86 Redmond employees this spring

Nintendo of America is laying off 86 contract workers in Redmond, beginning May 25, due to company reorganization.

1 hour ago

Everett boy missing...

Frank Sumrall

4-year-old Everett boy missing, police worried he’s in danger

Police and Search and Rescue crews are looking for a missing four-year-old boy they suspect could be in danger.

3 hours ago

Image: The awnings of a store advertise the sale of lottery tickets, including Mega Millions and Po...

Steve Coogan

Lottery jackpots update: Powerball prize jumps again after $1.1B Mega Millions win

A lottery jackpots update: The Powerball prize reached an estimated $935 million ahead of Saturday night's drawing.

12 hours ago

Photo: The Judge Patricia H. Clark Children and Family Justice Center....

James Lynch

King County’s plan to close youth detention center met with fierce backlash

The King County Law and Justice Committee received a final report on Executive Dow Constantine's plan to close a youth detention center.

14 hours ago

Image: A cargo ship is stuck under the part of the structure of the Francis Scott Key Bridge after ...

Associated Press

Authorities identify 2 bodies recovered at site of Baltimore bridge collapse

A major bridge in Baltimore snapped and collapsed after a container ship rammed into it early Tuesday, and several vehicles fell into the river below.

16 hours ago

Is there a place for a high speed rail in Washington after I-976?