Transportation In the News

PORTLAND – State lawmakers and city leaders discussed the future of high-speed rail service in Oregon during a meeting Tuesday in Portland.

The meeting began at 10 a.m., at Portland’s Union Station. The agenda – discussing the federal stimulus project and $600 million earmarked for the Northwest, with most of it going to Washington state.

Background: Northwest gets $598-million for high-speed rail projects

Lawmakers said they believe the project will generate around 6,000 Northwest jobs.

Interactive: U.S. high-speed rail map

Metro President David Bragdon explained how high-speed rail can sync up with Portland's existing transit infrastructure, and a representative from Congressman Blumenauer’s office outlined the federal commitment to high-speed rail.

Jenn Lavelle, a spokesperson for the Oregon State Public Interest Group, also known as OSPIRG, explained how high-speed rail in Oregon has the potential to create tens of thousands of jobs, alleviate congestion, and reduce carbon emissions. “The new OSPIRG report will highlight these benefits and recommend further commitment to high speed rail development,” she said.

Officials also released ‘The Right Track’ during the meeting, a new OSPIRG research report which quantifies the benefits of high speed rail and sets recommendations for future investments.