Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) officials said a recently released report offers an assessment detailing continued efforts to deliver ultra-high-speed ground transportation to the Pacific Northwest post-pandemic.
WDSOT created “The 2020 Framework for the Future” in partnership with the Oregon Department of Transportation, the Province of British Columbia, and Microsoft. It offers a roadmap creating a coordinating entity to advance the project beyond the initial concept phase; emphasizes the importance of robust engagement with communities, elected officials, state and national officials, business and labor leaders and advocacy organizations; and establishes several funding and financing scenarios that include possible federal, state and private investments.
“We are living in unprecedented times that call on us to envision our future in new ways,” Gov. Jay Inslee said. “Transformative infrastructure projects like this one could help us rebuild our economy in the short term and provide us with a strong competitive advantage in the future. Imagine fast, frequent, and reliable travel with the potential for zero emissions and the opportunity to better compete in a global economy.”
The report expands previous studies conducted over the past three years and has been submitted to the executive and legislative branches of Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. The new system would link the metropolitan areas of Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver, British Columbia while offering connections to stations in between and beyond.
“This study is another important step toward better, faster ways for people to get where they need to go throughout the Pacific Northwest,” British Columbia Premier John Horgan said. “Improving connections through ultra-high-speed rail is good news for people on both sides of the border as B.C. moves forward with Washington and Oregon on a path to building a stronger post-COVID19 regional economy.”