Cascadia High Speed Rail Authority Has its First Funding

The state of Washington has allocated funding from its 2019-2021 biennium transportation appropriations bill to study the creation of the Cascadia High Speed Rail Authority.

1 minute read

May 4, 2019, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


JR Shinkansen

Blanscape / Shutterstock

Stephen Fesler reports on the transportation spending approved by the Washington State Legislature at the conclusion of its 2019 legislative session.

"The appropriations bill will make $9.98 billion in transportation investments over the next two years," according to Fesler, "which is $300 million less than the governor’s $10.28 billion proposal."

A headlining inclusion in that number is up to $895,000 in funding to study the creation of a Cascadia High Speed Rail Authority, which would be charged with building a high-speed rail connection between Portland, Seattle, and across the border to Vancouver.

"Another $671,000 would need to come from other partners like the Province of British Columbia, State of Oregon, and business interests–the core high speed route is envisioned as linking the corridor from Portland to Vancouver, B.C.boosting business throughout," according to Fesler. "The state appropriation will not be released until funding from other partners is released, but it seems likely that the funding will come through."

The article includes a lot more detail on the other studies and projects funded by the appropriations bill. 

See previous coverage of Cascadia Rail on Planetizen.

Friday, May 3, 2019 in The Urbanist

courses user

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges. Corey D, Transportation Planner

As someone new to the planning field, Planetizen has been the perfect host guiding me into planning and our complex modern challenges.

Corey D, Transportation Planner

Ready to give your planning career a boost?

Broken, uneven sidewalk being damaged by large tree roots in Los Angeles, California.

The City of Broken Sidewalks

Can Los Angeles fix 4,000 miles of broken sidewalks before the city hosts the 2028 Olympic Games?

December 5, 2024 - Donald Shoup

Large store in mall with yellow and black STORE CLOSING sign on front.

Shifts in Shopping: Transforming Malls Into Parks

Maybe zombie malls still have a second life — one with a little greenery.

December 8, 2024 - Ruscena Wiederholt

Multifamily housing under construction.

To Build More Housing, Cities Must Be Smarter in How They Use Land

How strategic land use policy decisions can alleviate the housing crisis and limit unsustainable sprawl.

December 11, 2024 - John D. Landis

Heavy traffic on freeway in San Diego, California.

Why Traffic Never Gets Better

Despite abundant research showing that roadway expansions provide limited congestion relief and increase long-term traffic problems, they still occur due to wishful thinking: advocates claim that “this” project is different.

December 12 - Greater Greater Washington

Trolley bus in San Francisco, California.

San Francisco Tops ‘Urban Mobility Readiness’ List

An annual analysis of global cities assesses public transit, technology, and sustainability.

December 12 - Bloomberg CityLab

Cyclist on folding bike riding next to silver car on city street.

Bike-Mounted Sensor Could Improve Safety for Cyclists

A new camera technology can detect when vehicles pass too close to people on bikes.

December 12 - Streetsblog USA

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.