2024-11-08T07:53:38-05:00 https://archinect.com/news/article/150164181/pacific-northwest-high-speed-rail-study-advances-with-help-from-microsoft Sean Joyner 2019-10-13T09:00:00-04:00 >2019-10-11T20:05:16-04:00 <img src="https://archinect.gumlet.io/uploads/fb/fb4988edb9d683496d6705aaed585c8e.png?fit=crop&auto=compress%2Cformat&enlarge=true&w=1200" border="0" /><em><p>Microsoft is giving another $223,667 to study the possibility of building a high-speed rail line connecting Vancouver, B.C., Seattle, and Portland, adding to a previous donation. The company is providing a total of $573,667 to the project. Other funders include the Province of British Columbia; the Oregon Department of Transportation; and Washington Department of Transportation.</p></em><br /><br /><p>According to <em>Geek Wire,</em>&nbsp;The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)&nbsp;estimates&nbsp;that the proposed&nbsp;<a href="http://www.cascadiarail.org/" target="_blank">Cascadia Rail</a> high-speed rail system connecting the three cities could spark $355 billion in economic growth in the region, while bringing in around $160 million to $250 million in annual revenue for the rail authority.&nbsp;</p> <p>In total, the high-speed rail project could cost anywhere from $24 billion to $42 billion to build, reports <em>Geek Wire</em>. WSDOT also expects the high-speed rail to contribute to significant reductions in carbon emissions over time.</p>