Hwy 99 Fraser River Tunnel (George Massey Replacement) | Proposed

[Genauso]

I was thinking about the new highway speed limit increases in light of the recent local increases, and regional population growth where Vancouver-Seattle might be as big as Los Angeles of today in population (and size for that matter) in a couple decades.

It occurred to me that potentially the greatest value from increased speed limits might be the highway between Vancouver and Seattle.

They are ~240km apart airport to airport.
They are each other's nearest large neighbour.
They are too close for trips to be faster by air, or to be cheaper by sea/rail.
The terrain is flat.
It would benefit both when outsiders are looking to place a hub within the larger region, or planning a vacation.
There are many sectors for residents of each city to cooperate more with each other, and many complementary services/experiences you can only together in a much larger market.

Bringing a distinct city closer is a different game shaving time off regular commutes.

Speed limits vary between ~90-120km/h? today, and could feasibly increase to 160km/h in good weather.

As part of the George Massey replacement, wouldn't it be cool if both governments committed to guaranteeing 30 minute or less border wait times 99% of the time and to upgrade HWY99/I5 to 160km/h and 100mph?

With a 240km distance, on the high side for most, that's a 90 minute trip plus border interruption.

Even 120km/h and 75mph, that becomes 2 hours travel plus border time.

If there is a trucker shuttling between the two, those extra trips per day would make a big difference fast.