Instead of costly ultra-high-speed train, upgrade existing line

Published 1:30 am Tuesday, September 12, 2023

The recent story about a proposed high-speed rail line in the state needs clarification (“Ambitious high-speed rail project could have stop in Everett,” The Herald, Sept. 5).

More like three decades are needed for litigating land acquisition, engineering and construction to include about 80 to 90 miles of tunnels through 350 miles of built and green areas. Still in early planning after about six years of promotion, the price tag is likely $150 billion or more and nebulous as to the station stops. The more station connections, the less likely it will achieve its travel time goals. A speed of 250 mph is a testing speed. It will be maxed at 220 mph, but where will it enter and exit Everett at any speed? Likely a tunnel. There is no place and no way to build a bullet train line that gets you from Everett to Seattle in 15 minutes.

A much more practical, affordable rail line can be significantly upgraded according to the taxpayer funded Long Range Plan for Amtrak Cascades. Seattle/Portland can happen hourly and in 2.5 hours. It was supposed to be completed in 2018. It is being stalled for two more decades pending what’s up with the bullet train.

If it takes 17 years to bring Sound Transit’s Link light rail from Lynnwood to Everett, how will we design and build of 350 miles of ultra-high-speed rail in a time frame that matters for any but the youngest of us? What kind of future will they have with the devastating degrees of global warming we’re in for if we don’t reduce emissions in the short term?

We have a solution — our existing rail system — let’s promote that. Email info@climaterailalliance.org.

Lael White

Mountlake Terrace