A recent Herald article about a proposed ultra-high speed rail line demonstrates that the project is an undefined concept with little transparency to the public regarding cost and what the project can deliver (“Ambitious high-speed rail project could have stop in Everett,” The Herald, Sept. 5).
An independent review to evaluate the Ultra High Speed Ground Transportation project for the state Legislature’s Joint Transportation Committee released June 3o shows that cost and timeline assumptions that the state Department of Transportation is using for federal grant applications are erroneous. Cost estimates from 2017 of $24 billion to $42 billion have not been updated to the more realistic figures of $36 billion to $150 billion in the review.
Project promoters propagate false promises like a trip between Everett and Seattle in 15 minutes. Very fast trains have about 100 miles between stops; one cannot accelerate and decelerate in 28 miles. The train may not go to downtown Seattle; the current plans says the “Seattle Area.”
If there are stops in Snohomish County, Bellingham, Longview, Bellevue, Tacoma and Olympia the train will not be going 250 mph. You can either have stops or high speeds but not both. The project promoters know this; why not tell the public?
We need better rail. Investing in a vastly improved Amtrak Cascades line should be the priority. Adding track and other improvements to existing shared right of way would enable speeds up to 110 mph. These projects, being done around the country, improve efficiency of both passenger and freight. The projects have timelines of 2 to 10 years and would give relief to near term congestion. Let’s not delay any longer and make smart investments in Amtrak Cascades for higher speeds, more reliability and greater frequency.
Arvia Morris
Seattle
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