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
'Nonsense:' Doug Ford slams lawsuits filed by Ontario school boards against social media platforms
Premier Doug Ford says that lawsuits launched by four Ontario school boards against a trio of social media platforms are “nonsense” and risk becoming a distraction to the work that really matters.
Several flight attendants from Pakistan have gone missing after landing in Canada
Multiple flight attendants from Pakistan International Airlines have abandoned their jobs and are believed to have sought asylum in Canada in the past year and a half, a spokesperson for the government-owned airline says.
Tipping is off the table at this Toronto restaurant
A Toronto restaurant introduced a surprising new rule that reduced the cost of a meal and raised the salaries of staff.
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 mm among weather alerts in effect for 7 provinces
Rainfall warnings of up to 90 millimetres, air quality advisories and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces, according to the latest forecasts.
Canada Post’s newest stamp features special cookies for Islamic holiday
Canada Post’s newest specialty stamps feature “melt-in-your-mouth” desserts to mark two Islamic festivals, the crown corporation announced Thursday.
King Charles calls for acts of friendship in first public remarks since Kate's cancer diagnosis
King Charles III gave public remarks for Maundy Thursday, addressing the importance of acts of friendship, following his and Catherine, Princess of Wales’ cancer diagnoses.
A dog and a bird formed an unlikely friendship. Their separation has infuriated followers
Peggy is a stout and muscular Staffordshire bull terrier, and Molly is a magpie, an Australian bird best known for swooping on humans during breeding season, not for befriending dogs. But in an emotional video posted online, Peggy’s owners announced that the animals had been separated.
Statistics Canada reports real GDP up 0.6 per cent in January as Quebec strikes end
Canada's real gross domestic product grew 0.6 per cent in January, helped by the end of public sector strikes in Quebec in November and December, Statistics Canada said Thursday.
Ukrainian child asylum seekers in St. John’s get class of their own
Roughly 50 children will gathered in a St. John’s classroom for the first time on Saturday for unique lessons on Ukrainian language, culture and history.