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Microsoft Hosting a Conference in Seattle Next Month on a Possible High-Speed Rail in the Pacific Northwest

https://www.wweek.com/news/2019/10/3...fic-northwest/

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- Transportation leaders from Portland, Vancouver, B.C. and Seattle plan to meet next week at Microsoft's headquarters in Seattle about a possible high-speed rail train connecting the three cities. The idea for the high-speed train was re-invigorated in February 2018, with the formation of an advocacy group called Cascadia Rail. The group envisions a train that is able to carry passengers across the region at speeds of 350 km/hr, reducing the travel time between Vancouver and Seattle to an hour. Microsoft, the Daily Hive reports, has been a prominent proponent of the project, contributing $300,000 to a WSDOT feasibility study in 2018. — The company's "Cascadia Rail Summit" will explore how a high-speed rail could impact housing affordability, create jobs and reduce transportation emissions. Attendeeswhich include Washington Gov. Jay Insee and Oregon Department of Transportation's rail and public transit administrator Hal Gard will also discuss the concrete next steps necessary for initiating high-speed rail construction.

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