Washington State is going to take another crack at a feasibility study for a high speed commuter train for rail service linking Portland, Seattle, and Vancouver
So far, the big stumbling block has been cost. The project has an estimated cost in the multiple billions of dollars.
Mark Hallenbeck, director of the Washington State Transportation Center says Vancouver to Seattle to Portland fits all constraints for a high-speed rail line.
"Seattle to Vancouver--it's the bigger of those markets, but it has to deal with crossing the International border so whether it is an easier market or not, that is one of the things I am sure the study will take a look at."
Hallenback said the high-speed rail option is increasingly appealing as highway congestion increases in the region and transit infrastructure improves.