Bullet train could cost $54B

Photo: Twitter/CTV

A high-speed train from Vancouver to Seattle and Portland could cost up to $54 billion.

A new report by the Washington State Department of Transportation outlines possible routes and a cost of between $31 billion and $54 billion in Canadian dollars.

Washington state Gov. Jay Inslee says in the report: "Indeed, there will be costs to developing such a system. However, there are perhaps even greater costs to rising congestion and a do-nothing approach."

Inslee pitched the project in Victoria last month, saying he's bullish on its economic potential.

The report estimates ridership at two million passengers annually by 2035.

Five possible routes are proposed, including potential stops at Vancouver Airport, Pacific Central Station or in Surrey. The high-speed train would get to Seattle in just under an hour.

Using traditional rails, it could reach speed of 354 km/h. But with maglev technology, that could increase to 435 km/h.

– with files from CTV Vancouver