The Cascadia high speed rail project is estimated to cost $24 billion to $42 billion once the public comments are received. The Washington State Department of Transportation is seeking public feedback on a plan to link Vancouver, B.C., Seattle and Portland. WSDOT will review the concept until the end of 2028. The review focuses on the increasing travel demand in the Puget Sound region.
Other Projects
The $900 million Amtrak Bridgeport maintenance facility has cleared a key federal hurdle. The Federal Railroad Administration published a 59-page environmental assessment of the project near Rate Field. Federal officials deemed the impacts “insignificant,” according to Crain’s, which The Real Deal cited. The discovery seems to be a green light for Amtrak to move forward with the site. The review came about two weeks after the agency promised to examine the facility. It also provides a rough timeline. Demolition will start in January if the FRA approves the project. Local groups may still make their case, as public comments are accepted until they close.
Scope of the Cascadia high speed rail project study
In 2024, the Biden Administration provided a $49.7 million study through the Federal Railroad Administration. If the project moves forward, WSDOT estimates that high-speed trains could transport 1.3 to 1.7 million passengers, according to the agency.
The new track is the centerpiece of the plan. Existing lines are used by current Amtrak trains, and the increased speeds require separate rail. The report says the tracklaying would likely not be as extensive as what California would need, but it could be very costly.
The cautionary comparison is provided by California’s programme. The 700-plus-mile system has grown to $93 billion, up from its initial estimate of $23 billion, according to various sources. The number of $123 billion has been added to the completion. The report includes a local warning about Seattle’s own light rail overruns.
Challenges facing the Cascadia high speed rail project
The first obstacle is the price range. The $24 billion to $42 billion cost of a three-state corridor is subject to the same questioning that California faced. Furthermore, WSDOT has to sell the project before a single track is laid. The ridership estimates of 1.3 to 1.7 million passengers will be subject to their own questioning. In the meantime, there are a number of light rail lines in Seattle that operate in the opposite direction.
Despite this, the process is in motion. The comment window remains open and WSDOT’s review continues until the end of 2028. The window puts a decision timeline on the Pacific Northwest’s biggest proposed rail investment.
Project Overview
- Project Value: $24 billion to $42 billion
- Location: Vancouver, B.C. to Portland via Seattle
- Client: Washington State Department of Transportation
- Study Funder: $49.7 million federal award, 2024
Scope
- High-speed rail for the corridor
- New dedicated track required
- Amtrak currently shares freight lines
- Study runs through end 2028
Project Highlights
- 1.3 to 1.7 million riders projected
- Federal Railroad Administration backs study
- Links three major cities
- Answers Puget Sound growth
Key Developments
- Public comment window opened
- Study awarded under Biden administration
- FRA funded via 2024 award
- Examination continues to 2028
Key Challenges
- $42 billion top-end estimate
- California overruns shadow the plan
- Seattle light rail cost history
- Dedicated track raises expense
Outlook
- Comments collected through study period
- Decision timeline reaches 2028
- Freight sharing must end
- Region weighs biggest rail bet
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