Vancouver-Seattle high-speed rail feasibility study gets B.C. funding

The B.C. government is investing $300,000 into the next phase of a high-speed train between Vancouver, Seattle, and Portland.

The funding will go toward the next phase of the Ultra High Speed Ground Transportation Project, which is a feasibility study that will look at considerations like future funding and requirements.

“This proposal has the potential to significantly cut transportation time between Seattle and Vancouver – presenting new opportunities for clean economic growth, job creation and tourism throughout the region,” said Premier John Horgan.

It has been estimated that the high speed rail link could get people in between each of the cities in under an hour.

Related articles: 

• Vancouver to Portland bullet train proposal won’t be derailed by funding loss: Washington State

• B.C., Washington and Oregon fast-tracking high-speed rail corridor across Pacific Northwest

• High-speed rail link would run from Vancouver to Seattle in under 1 hour: study

Along with cutting down on commuter times between cities, prior research results provided by the province suggest there would also be potential benefits like job creation and environmental pros like cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions.

“Protect the environment and combat climate change, promote trade and improve transportation connectivity,” a release says.

For now, travellers will need to sit tight as the province has invested in moving forward with the study and is still considering the feasibility of the project.

Previous timelines by the Washington State Department of Transportation have listed 2028 as a potential completion date.