Cascadia High-Speed Rail Study to Identify Vancouver–Seattle–Portland Route Options by 2028

A major transportation planning initiative could bring high-speed passenger rail closer to reality in Western Canada and the U.S. Pacific Northwest. Potential routes connecting Metro Vancouver, Seattle and Portland are expected to be identified by 2028, marking an important step toward evaluating the feasibility of the proposed Cascadia High-Speed Rail network.

Cascadia High-Speed Rail Planning Advances Across Three Jurisdictions

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is leading the development of a Service Development Plan in partnership with British Columbia’s Ministry of Transportation and Transit and the Oregon Department of Transportation.

The study will assess the technical and economic feasibility of establishing a dedicated high-speed railway connecting the three metropolitan regions.

Planning began in January 2025 and builds on preliminary research conducted before the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2028 report is expected to identify possible rail corridors, operating frequencies, station configurations and passenger demand.

However, it will not select a final route or confirm station locations. Additional engineering studies, environmental assessments and funding decisions would be required before construction could proceed.

Vancouver, Surrey and YVR Considered as Potential Station Locations

Several potential Canadian terminal locations have emerged during earlier discussions, including Downtown Vancouver, Surrey City Centre and Vancouver International Airport (YVR).

YVR leadership has proposed establishing the northern terminus at the airport, creating a transportation hub connecting international flights, regional transit and high-speed rail.

A station serving Seattle-Tacoma International Airport has also been discussed on the American side.

The planning process will consider population growth, employment centres, environmental constraints, geographic conditions and connections with existing transportation networks.

High-Speed Trains Could Exceed 260 km/h

The proposed Cascadia network would operate on dedicated tracks designed for substantially faster passenger service than existing conventional rail.

WSDOT defines high-speed rail as trains operating above 260 kilometres per hour.

By comparison, the current Amtrak Cascades service reaches a maximum of approximately 127 kilometres per hour on certain sections of its route.

High-speed trains would make fewer stops, reducing travel time between Vancouver, Seattle and Portland.

The proposed network would complement rather than replace Amtrak Cascades, which serves smaller communities along the corridor.

In September 2026, Amtrak Cascades introduced new Siemens-built passenger trains offering improved onboard comfort, although the fleet upgrade did not increase operating speeds.

Planning Budget Reaches Approximately C$78 Million

WSDOT has secured approximately US$55.7 million, equivalent to C$78 million, for the planning initiative.

Funding includes:

• US$49.7 million in federal support awarded through the U.S. Federal Railroad Administration in December 2024.

• An additional US$500,000 in federal grant funding.

• US$5.5 million in matching contributions from Washington state.

Despite progress, construction remains uncertain.

Earlier preliminary estimates placed the project’s potential cost in the tens of billions of dollars, with much of the investment required for infrastructure in Washington state.

A construction timeline has not been established, and implementation would depend on substantial future funding commitments.

Population Growth Drives Demand for New Transportation Infrastructure

Transportation authorities are examining high-speed rail as part of a broader response to projected population growth across the Cascadia region.

The Vancouver–Seattle–Portland corridor is expected to gain approximately 3.4 million residents by 2050.

WSDOT estimates that 80 per cent of Interstate 5 in Washington could experience moderate or severe congestion by 2050, compared with 59 per cent today.

Truck traffic across the state is also projected to increase by between 50 and 67 per cent.

Interstate 5 Master Plan Also Expected in 2028

Alongside the railway study, WSDOT is developing a master plan for the approximately 446-kilometre section of Interstate 5 running through Washington state.

The plan will examine traffic congestion, road safety, aging infrastructure, freight movement and connections with other transportation services.

Earthquake resilience and climate-related infrastructure risks will also be considered.

Both planning documents are expected to guide transportation investment decisions through 2050.

Public consultation on the Cascadia High-Speed Rail project and Interstate 5 Master Plan remains open until November 13, 2026.

Canada Expands Interest in High-Speed Passenger Rail

The Cascadia initiative comes as Canadian governments pursue additional passenger rail investments.

The federal government is advancing the approximately 1,000-kilometre Alto high-speed rail project connecting Toronto, Peterborough, Ottawa, Montréal, Laval, Trois-Rivières and Québec City.

Construction of its initial Ottawa–Montréal segment is expected to begin in 2029, with the first services anticipated during the mid-to-late 2030s.

Alberta is also developing a long-term passenger rail strategy, including a proposed high-speed connection between Calgary and Edmonton.

Next Steps for the Cascadia Rail Project

Completion of the Cascadia Service Development Plan in 2028 would provide transportation authorities with a more detailed assessment of possible routes, operating requirements and investment needs.

While significant financial, environmental and cross-border coordination challenges remain, the study represents an important planning milestone for a potential high-speed railway connecting British Columbia with two major American metropolitan areas.