When state Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen cuts the ribbon to open the new Stanwood train station today, it will be back to the future for the Stanwood-Camano Island area. For an area rich in history of lumber mills, fish canneries, steamboats and trains, the new station represents a remarkable new opportunity to expand travel options for commuting, attending major events Read More ›
This article, published by Europe & Us (a special project of KPLU News), quotes Discovery Institute Fellow Bruce Agnew: … This conference was organized by the Cascadia Center, a Seattle-based think tank that promotes innovative approaches to transportation. Director Bruce Agnew says state lawmakers, port commissioners and business leaders are lining up behind passenger rail. The full article can be Read More ›
This article, published by the Idaho Business Review, quotes Discovery Institute Fellow Bruce Agnew: “We have to come to this with some imagination,” Cascadia Center Policy Director Bruce Agnew said at the PNWER conference. He suggested partnerships could be forged with groups like Tourism Idaho and commuter rail systems along the line in Denver and Seattle. The rest of the Read More ›
This article, published by the Daily Journal of Commerce, mentions the Cascadia Center of Discovery Institute: The $8 billion in stimulus funds the Obama Administration is planning to invest in high-speed rail is “purely seed money,” a consultant told a roomful of rail boosters yesterday at a forum organized by the Cascadia Center. The rest of the article can be Read More ›
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
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We in the Northwest live in a majestic place. But growth and crowded roads challenge our environment and quality of life. We need to learn how to address traffic congestion and climate change together, and to share solutions. One focal point is Columbia River Crossing, the $4.2 billion project to replace two old, crowded and dangerous bridges connecting Washington and Read More ›