Cascadia Center

Founded in 1993, as the Cascadia Project, Discovery Institute’s Cascadia Center for Regional Development is an important force in regional transportation and sustainable development issues.

We’re known for our involvement in transportation and development issues in the Cascadia Corridor, Puget Sound and in the U.S.-Canadian cross-border realm. We’ve recently added to that mix through a major program to promote U.S. efforts to reduce reliance on foreign oil, including the earliest possible development and integration of flex-fuel, plug-in, hybrid-electric vehicles.

We’re proud of our reputation as an independent voice for creative solutions to metropolitan, state, regional, and national challenges – a voice we share through constructive policy analyses, expert testimony to government bodies, and through convening forums and conferences to facilitate solutions to complex policy matters.

Archives

Going Vertical: Air Mobility in the PNW with ACES Northwest Network

Cascadia Center
May 28, 2021
In the Puget Sound region, transportation is truly multi-modal. Roads and highways connect communities to ferries and floatplanes at docks and airports. Travelers walk, roll, and ride in trips with numerous links … and numerous potentials for missed connections. Critical roadway links are at-risk from seismic events and even the harsh realities of aging infrastructure. What happens when the Cascadia Subduction Zone event occurs?

Facts About Seattle’s Tunnel Choice

Frequently Asked Questions About Seattle's Tunnel Choice from Cascadia Center for Regional Development
Cascadia Center
October 22, 2009
At the beginning of 2009, Seattle, King County and the State of Washington made the joint decision to replace the aging, earthquake-prone Alaskan Way Viaduct with a technologically advanced deep-bored tunnel.

Congress Begins Grappling With New Surface Transportation Funding Bill

Cascadia Center
August 10, 2009
The current federal surface transportation funding bill expires this summer. A crucial revenue source is the federal gas tax trust fund, now chronically insolvent. The federal gas tax hasn’t been raised in 16 years, and it isn’t indexed to inflation. A highway system built in the 1950s and 1960s continues to wear down under heavy use, increasing funding needs for maintenance, and capacity expansion, while improved vehicle mileage has tightened the revenue flow from the per-gallon gas tax. Congress wants to roughly double the current spending plan to nearly $500 billion for the next six years. A draft House version of the new bill has been introduced, but it’s unclear where the money would come from and whether the bill can be approved by the Sept. 30 deadline some …

Cascadia Rail Week In The News

Cascadia Center
June 1, 2009
Cascadia Rail Week – including events in Portland May 27 and Seattle May 28 – heightened awareness of the need for improved intercity passenger and freight rail systems, and for longer-term efforts to establish high speed rail in our mega-region. Sharing key insights were representatives of state and city governments, the Federal Railway Administration, the U.S. Congress and Senate, and the Washington state legislature, plus think tanks, train manufacturers, railroads, and commuter rail advocates and experts.Rail week left no doubt there is a well-equipped coalition coming together to advance a crucial 21st Century rail agenda that builds on Northwest investments already made. Press coverage was considerable; in newspapers and on radio and television. Links are …

Deep Bored Tunnel Bill Is Signed Into Law – News Round-up

Cascadia Center
May 1, 2009
“This was not an easy process, but it’s done. It is done. It is done,” Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels said Tuesday afternoon at a signing ceremony for state legislation to replace the elevated highway with a deep-bored tunnel. “Today we end the era of the Viaduct.” Before signing the bill, Gov. Chris Gregoire addressed people who still questioned whether the state could build the tunnel on time and within budget. The tunnel, enhanced surface connections and associated work carry a total estimated price of $4.2 billion.“Viaduct-replacing Tunnel Bill Gets Governor’s Signature,” Seattle P-I.com, 5/12/09 Gov. Chris Gregoire Tuesday signed the bill designating a bored tunnel as the replacement for the Alaskan Way Viaduct …

High Speed Rail Can Transform Cascadia

Cascadia Center
April 29, 2009

High speed rail and improved inter-city freight rail infrastructure can better unite the Cascadia region, from British Columbia to Oregon - while reducing highway congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, and boosting the economy and tourism. We'll highlight the transformational possibilities at the Cascadia Rail Partnership Conference, May 27-29 in Seattle and Portland. Don't miss it.

North American rail is at center stage on the transportation agenda. Eight billion dollars in U.S. stimulus money is kicking off a new series of improvements to the nation's rail systems. Beneficiaries could include the Amtrak Cascades passenger rail line which runs from Portland, Oregon to Seattle, and north to Vancouver, B.C.

Since 1994, Washington, Oregon, the federal government, regional agencies and railroads have made capital and operating investments of about $1 billion in the Amtrak Cascades line. Now - with President Obama prioritizing high speed rail - is the time to build on that investment. The visioning that precedes the hard work of securing full funding for passenger and freight rail improvements has begun anew. Vancouver Sun economic affairs columnist Miro Cernetig writes that the opportunity should be seized to strengthen U.S.-Canada links via improved Northwest rail service.

Additional information:

"Ottawa's Lack Of Vision May Derail Our High-Speed Rail Dreams," Vancouver Sun, 5/18/09

"Tourism Leaders Steaming Over Train Holdup," The Province, 5/15/09

"High Speed Rail: Region Should Climb Aboard," Everett Herald, 5/15/09

"Is Cascadia's Train Coming In?" Crosscut, 5/12/09

"Hope For High Speed Rail On the West Coast," McClatchy News/Tacoma News Tribune, 5/10/09

"Planes, Trains, And...Two Vital Projects To Relieve Air Traffic Congestion," Washington Post editorial, 5/6/09

"Megaregions And High Speed Rail," Richard Florida, Creative Class Exchange blog, The Atlantic, 5/4/09

"Mayor Backs Plan For High Speed Rail From Oregon To B.C.," The Province, 4/26/09

"Next Stop: A Faster Train From Seattle To Portland," Tacoma News Tribune, 4/21/09

"Obama's Rail Plan Not So High Speed," The Oregonian, 4/21/09

"Spain's Bullet Train Changes Nation, And Fast," Wall Street Journal, 4/20/09

"Rail Advocates Laud Federal Announcement," Seattle PI.com, 4/16/09

"High Speed Rail Gets $8 Billion Boost; Northwest Could Benefit," Associated Press/Seattle Times, 4/16/09

Rail articles archive, Cascadia Prospectus blog, 2007-2009

"Vision For High Speed Rail In America: Strategic Investment Plan," Federal Railway Administration, USDOT, 4/09

Amtrak Cascades Long Range Plan, Washington State Department Of Transportation, 2006

Statewide Rail Capacity and System Needs Study," Washington State Transportation Commission, 2006

(More)

House OKs SR 99 Tunnel – News & Commentary

Cascadia Center
April 24, 2009
CASCADIA IN THE NEWS Cascadia’s Bruce Agnew Discusses Tunnel Approval, & Cost Issues, KIRO-FM 97.3, Dave Ross Show, 4/28/09 “Seattle Tunnel Would Be The World’s Widest,” Daily Journal Of Commerce, 4/24/09 Cascadia’s Bruce Agnew interviewed on Tunnel Decision, KOMO 1000 AM, Seattle, 4/23/09 OTHER ARTICLES “Lawmakers Approve Viaduct Tunnel,” Seattle P-I, 4/24/09 “Viaduct Tunnel Bill Passes Legislature,” KING5-TV, 4/24/09 “Should Yakima Pay For DOT Project Overruns?, Seattle P-I, 4/24/09 “Viaduct Proviso May Be Toothless,” Seattle Times, 4/24/09 “Deep Bore Tunnel OK’d For Viaduct, With A Dig From Chopp,” Seattle Times editorial, 4/23/09 “Deep Bore Tunnel Clears WA House; ‘Sigh Of …

Deep Bored Tunnel Chosen: Jan. 13-16 Media & Govt. Links

Cascadia Center
January 13, 2009
Washington Governor Chris Gregoire, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, King County Executive Ron Sims and Port of Seattle CEO Tay Yoshitani made the formal announcement Jan. 13, 2009 that they are recommending a deep bore tunnel and related infrastructure work to replace the earthquake prone Alaskan Way Viaduct along State Route 99 in downtown Seattle. Following are links to some of the media coverage of the story from Jan. 13 forward – plus related information from the state, and Cascadia Center. GOVT. & CASCADIA LINKS WSDOT Deep Bored Tunnel Project Overview, 1/13/09 Letter Of Agreement – State of Washington, City of Seattle, King County, 1/13/09 “Deep Bored Tunnel to Replace Alaskan Way Viaduct,” Office of Governor Chris Gregoire, 1/13/09 Bored …

Deep Bored Tunnel To Replace Alaskan Way Viaduct – Latest Information

Cascadia Center
December 17, 2008
Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire, Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels and King County Executive Ron Sims in January 2009 proposed to replace the seismically vulnerable Alaskan Way Viaduct along Seattle's downtown waterfront on State Route 99 with an inland deep bored tunnel. Legislation authorizing and providing substantial funding for the tunnel passed the state senate and house, and on May 12 was signed into law by Gov. Gregoire. The tunnel is expected to cost $1.2 to $2.2 billion, most likely $1.9 billion, including a cushion for cost overruns. The legislation provides $2.8 billion for tunnel construction and Viaduct replacement. Other, related projects - funded by the city, county and Port of Seattle - would bring the total package's cost to $4.2 billion.  Here is the bill, as approved. Links to media coverage and key documents follow. Deep Bored Tunnel Bill Signed Into Law: News Round-up, 5/13/09 Tunnel FAQs, Cascadia Center House OKs SR 99 Tunnel - News & Commentary, 4/22-24/09 Yakima Valley Fruit Growers Support Deep Bore Tunnel, KIRO-AM & Seattle P-I, 4/13/09 "Deep Bore Tunnel Is Best Replacement Option," Yakima Herald-Republic, 4/12/09 99 Corridor Coalition Bored Tunnel Program Update, 3/26/09 "The Time Has Come To Replace Viaduct With Tunnel, Seattle Times, 3/26/09 "Officials Give Viaduct Replacement Details To Ballard Residents," Seattle P-I, 3/23/09 "Expert: Viaduct Bored Tunnel Would Be World Class Project," Seattle P-I, 3/20/09 "Senate Passes Bill To Replace Viaduct With Tunnel," Seattle Times, 3/4/09 SR 99 Deep Bored Tunnel Project Fact Sheets And Maps, Washington State Department Of Transportation, 2/24/09 "WSDOT: Deep Bored Tunnel Would Be Safer In Earthquake," KOMO-AM 1000, 1/31/09 WSDOT: No Comparison Between Boston's "Big Dig" And SR 99 Tunnel, Tacoma News Tribune, 1/26/09 "The Viaduct Decision's Next Step: Tolling," Crosscut, 1/20/09 Deep Bored Tunnel Chosen: Jan.13-16 Media & Govt. Links (Radio, TV, Newspapers, State of WA, more) - includes Cascadia statement More here.  

Subscribe To Newsletter

Cascadia Center
January 1, 2008
Once to twice per month Cascadia Center distributes an e-mailed newsletter on our latest efforts and related news coverage. Readers have found it to be an informative update on regional transportation and related technology issues. If you’d like to receive the free Cascadia e-newsletter please send an e-mail to Jennifer Zucati, Cascadia Program Manager, at jenniferz@discovery.org In the subject line, please put “Cascadia Newsletter,” then please provide your name, e-mail address and organizational affiliation. We’d also appreciate having your phone number. The information will be held in the strictest confidence. You may also indicate issue areas of interest, such as plug-in hybrid electric vehicles, alternative fuels, transportation funding, tolling, …

Transportation Washington February 2006 Newsletter

Cascadia Center
February 28, 2006
Central Puget Sound One Step Closer to Joint Highway and Transit Plan When it comes to tackling transportation challenges, we at the Cascadia Center have long advocated regional cooperation. And with its rapidly rising population and worsening congestion, Central Puget Sound is especially in need of a coordinated solution——similar to what has already worked in Vancouver, B.C., Denver, and San Diego. The possibility of an integrated highway and transit package took one step closer to becoming reality last week for the tri-county region. The Regional Transportation Investment District (RTID) presented a transportation proposal to Sound Transit January 26; the hope is that the two groups could come together for a joint ballot measure to put before voters. Legislative changes to the …

Leadership Drought, Not Water Shortage in Northwest

Cascadia Center
August 19, 2005
SEATTLE—Seattle and the Central Puget Sound region are in danger of an inadequate water supply—due not to lack of water potential but to what a report by the Cascadia Center of Discovery Institute calls a “leadership drought.” The report, prepared by Discovery Adjunct Fellow Matt Rosenberg, argues that Central Puget Sound’s swelling population should prompt the region to expand its water supply, and that, under proper leadership, this can be accomplished in concert with salmon recovery efforts and a continued emphasis on water conservation. “The region’s future water needs, for both man and fish,” the paper states, “will require more than conservation, and more than the current fragmented approach to planning and decision making on in-stream and …

TWG Final Report

Cascadia Center
May 10, 2005
Introduction to TWG Recommendations Discovery Institute’s Cascadia Center has been advocating improvements in the transportation system that unites and serves the Cascadia region for more than 12 years. Within the region, Cascadia Center has given particular attention to the need for major changes in the way that transportation is planned, funded, and governed in Central Puget Sound, which is home to the largest concentration of population in Cascadia. Continue reading … …

Civic Leadership Group Calls for Prioritizing Viaduct and Evergreen Point Bridge

Cascadia Center
December 14, 2004
Contact: Bruce Agnew or Dave Earling, Cascadia Center(206) 292-0401 (ext.113 or 144)(206) 228-4011 or (206) 920-5593 cell phone Civic Leadership Group Calls for Prioritizing Viaduct and Evergreen Point BridgeEndorses $8 Billion/10 Year State Revenue Package & Comparable Regional Package The Transportation Working Group (TWG), an assemblage of civic leaders drawn from King, Pierce and Snohomish counties and staffed by the Cascadia Center of Discovery Institute on Monday evening adopted a series of findings and recommendations on the region’s long term transportation needs. Chief among those is a request to the 2005 Legislature to make replacement of the Alaskan Way Viaduct and the Evergreen Point Bridge the state’s number one priority for state funds. The TWG, …

2010 group on target

Cascadia Center
March 26, 2004
The shovels haven't broken dirt but it looks like Vancouver's Olympic committee is right on schedule when it comes to the 2010 Winter Games.

Excerpt from Cascadia Project state transportation report

Cascadia Center
December 31, 2002
Excerpted from page 52 of “How Do We Get There From Here,” a transportation report written and published by the Cascadia Project and Discovery Institute. Visit our website to view the entire report, or contact Holly McQueen at 206-292-0401 x120 or hollym@discovery.org if you would like to purchase a hard copy of the report. A new commercial vehicle-only corridor could help relieve congestion more generally on I-5 along the West Coast, the third busiest truck corridor in the U.S. The Washington Legislature has been supportive of exploring the feasibility of a new tolled transportation corridor east of I-5 and roughly parallel to it, from the Canadian border to Lewis County (Chehalis). This corridor has been referred to as the I-605 project. Two camps historically have …