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One hour from Vancouver to Seattle. Sweet!
February 14, 2017 - 10:55pm
!!!
That is a laudable initiative, but while rail is by far preferable to air, high-speed rail corridors can also have significant negative environmental impacts, and the project requires careful study. Sometimes simply optimizing existing rail corridors can be almost as efficient (perhaps a bit less ultra-fast) with fewer such negatives. The reason I speak of this, though IANAE (I am not an engineer), is discussions from friends in the region between Lyon and Turin, where a TGV is proposed; it could have serious impacts on Alpine flora and fauna. Environmental associations, which DO have engineers and other experts, have put forth a solution with a far lower impact that would be almost as rapid.
And what about ferries? I ask this in relative ignorance of the region; I've only travelled to Vancouver once, for work, and saw very little of the beautiful region.
Presently there is Ferry Service between Victoria on Vancouver Island and Seattle.
Le trajet Vancouver-Seattle en une heure à l’étude
http://ici.radio-canada.ca/nouvelle/1016810/train-grande-vitesse-vancouver-seattle-portland
Vancouver to Seattle driving time is 3 hours so a ferry would likely be a much slower trip and far more expensive than the other options already available. The current rail line is not suitable for a high speed train especially the part of the line that runs right though the resort town of White Rock.
All in all an interesting idea but not a big priority I would think. Seattle traffic is freeway based and like most cities with freeways they turn into parking lots way to often.
http://www.seattletimes.com/life/travel/how-to-travel-between-seattle-vi...
The big drawback to driving between Seattle and Vancouver(or vice versa) is that you can spend a huge amount of time waiting in your car at the border and neither Canada nor U.S. customs have public restrooms in their building. You'd think they could at least put in some port-o-sans just over the border on either side.
That is why Trudeau is signing on to having US Custome working on Canadian soil at places like train stations. I don't like that kind of integration with the US however for some people it is more convenienent.
I like the idea of port-a-potties flanking the Peace Arch, east and west.
Mind you, they would be a bit of hike.