B.C. commits another $300K to research high-speed train to Seattle, Portland
British Columbia is continuing to study the feasibility of a high-speed train linking Vancouver with Seattle and Portland, in partnership with Washington state and Oregon.
On Tuesday, the province announced it was investing another $300,000 to study the construction of a high-speed rail network in the region.
B.C. has now invested $900,000 into the feasibility study, with the province contributing $300,000 during a previous study in 2019, and another $300,000 during research in 2020.
The province entered a memorandum of understanding with Washington state to jointly review the economic and environmental impacts of opening up a bullet train between the two regions in 2019.
Oregon joined an updated MOU with the two other jurisdictions in late 2021 to further the study.
Previous phases of the study estimated that construction of a high-speed rail line could generate up to $355 billion across the three regions, and create as many as 200,000 jobs.
Earlier feasibility studies also estimated that the rail line would annually see between 1.7 million and 3.1 million one-way trips by 2040, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by about six million tonnes over 40 years.
Construction of the project is estimated to cost $42 billion, with revenue covering the cost of the project by 2055.
"Improving transportation connectivity throughout the Pacific Northwest is an important part of our work to build a stronger, more sustainable future for people on both sides of our border," said B.C. Premier John Horgan in a release Tuesday.
Washington Governor Jay Inslee added that a future high-speed rail system could strengthen "economic and cultural bonds" between both countries.
Washington has promised US$4 million for this next leg of the study.
According to the B.C. government, high-speed rail trains can travel up to 400 km/h. Previous studies into the topic said a trip from Vancouver to Seattle could take under an hour with a bullet train.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.