Newly proposed high-speed rail to connect Seattle to Portland
SEATTLE - Feel like zipping over to Powell's Books or the original Fred Meyer? A proposal for a new high-speed rail could get you from Seattle to Portland in less than an hour.
U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell announced Wednesday that the U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Railroad Administration awarded the state $49.7 million for planning work for the proposed Cascadia High-Speed Rail project. The 250-mph rail would connect Portland to Vancouver to Seattle, with rapid service to link the major population centers along the I-5 corridor.
Cantwell was joined by Sen. Patty Murray and Reps. Rick Larsen, Derek Kilmer, Marilyn Strickland, Adam Smith, Suzan DelBene and Pramila Jayapal.
"The I-5 corridor is the backbone of Western Washington’s transportation system, yet a recent study found that Seattle is the second-most congested city in the nation," wrote Cantwell. "This funding will enable the state to work with locals to develop the best possible high-speed passenger rail route and someday give Washingtonians the option to skip the highway and reach their destination faster."
Cantwell's office says the funding comes from the federal "Corridor ID" program, which was part of the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
The $49.7 million package will fund the planning details of the rail project — including route planning, capital projects and community outreach. It will also be supplemented with $5.6 million from WSDOT.
"Cascadia High Speed Rail means more jobs and long-term economic growth in the Pacific Northwest," said Rep. Rick Larsen, the lead Democrat on the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee. "Thanks to this award and the work of FRA Administrator Amit Bose and Secretary Pete Buttigieg, WSDOT can continue partnering with Northwest Washington communities and stakeholders to deliver higher speed rail that benefits riders, the region and the environment."
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