In March 2022, the Washington legislature directed and provided funding for the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) to continue exploring a new ultra-high-speed ground transportation corridor, consistent with the November 2021 memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed by the governors of Washington and Oregon and the Premier of British Columbia (2023 ESHB 1125, Section 223 (2)(a-c), see Appendix A). Working in partnership with Oregon and British Columbia, including the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Transit[1] (BC MOTT), Oregon Department and Transportation (ODOT), and Oregon Metro, WSDOT has made progress in advancing the Cascadia High-Speed Rail Project (Cascadia HSR[2]) within the Cascadia High-Speed Rail and I-5 Program under Urban Mobility, Access, and Megaprograms leadership. As required by 2023 ESHB 1125, Section 223 (2)(c), this report provides a status update to the Governor and transportation committees of the legislature on work conducted by the policy committee and recommendations for establishing a coordinating entity, including an assessment of current activities and results related to engagement, planning, and federal funding.

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