PNWER at Work > Working Groups > Transportation

About

PNWER's Transportation working group focuses on the infrastructure of our major corridors and gateways, with a special interest on border infrastructure. 

The PNWER Regional Infrastructure Accelerator (RIA) is a U.S. Department of Transportation Build America Bureau funded grant program that helps to accelerate infrastructure project delivery through provision of technical assistance and identification of innovative financing solutions.

The PNWER RIA serves as a convener for transportation projects in the Pacific Northwest, with specific focus on multistate and multi-jurisdictional initiatives that advance resilient supply chains, connect urban and rural communities and accelerate economic growth.
Major focus areas of this group include:

Cascade Gateway Bi-National Rail Group

PNWER is partnering with WSDOT to explore short and long-term railroad actions that will improve the performance of the Amtrak Cascades and explore future additional daily service to and from British Columbia. 

The Cascades Gateway Rail Group will convene key stakeholders from the U.S. and Canada to discuss opportunities to increase intercity passenger rail service and frequency ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will feature 13 matches in Seattle, WA and Vancouver, B.C. in summer 2026.

Future of Flight: Reimagining Sustainable Air Travel Post-COVID

For our 2020 Economic Leadership Forum, PNWER partnered with the South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP) to host sessions on the future of economic recovery within the PNW region. For speaker bios, presentation slides, white papers, etc. please click here. 

Resources

Action Items & Findings
2019 Action Items - Transportation & Infrastructure
Write letter of support from PNWER urging the U.S. to issue a Presidential Permit for Alaska to Alberta (A2A) project.
Hold legislative panel in Big Sky 2020 on ACES, 5G connected technologies, harmonizing regulations, Smart cities, includes Smart communities focusing on rural development through 5G and other technologies to maintain economic prosperity
Support requests to U.S. DOT to assist with $25 million to continue maintenance of Alaska-Canada highway that goes through Yukon and B.C.
2019 Findings - Transportation & Infrastructure
It was noted that the Transportation working group should collaborate with the Border working group; Cascadia Innovation Corridor; and state, provincial, and federal agencies to promote the testing of autonomous vehicles (personal and commercial) on the I-5 and Hwy 99 corridor.
Idaho DOT will continue to be a leader on harmonizing trucking regulations among 5 NW states and showcase similar improvements in Western Canada provinces.
Summit Archive
Presentations
News & Links

Harbour to Harbor

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PNWER has long supported “Harbour to Harbor” seaplane service between Vancouver, British Columbia and Seattle, Washington. British Columbia and Washington state share significant economic and cultural ties including the remarkably successful Two Nation Vacation initiative that has attracted international visitors and accelerated joint infrastructure and high technology investments.

“Harbour to Harbor” is an important addition to the rich mix of highway, rail, ferry, cruise ship, seaplane and fixed wing aircraft transportation operations that uniquely defines our bi-national region. Vancouver and Seattle share similar innovative, risk-taking cultures and a one hour “Harbour to Harbor” seaplane connection will accelerate the “Cascadia Innovative Corridor” initiative launched by Microsoft and others that has expanded cross-border employment and attracted world wide talent to the region.
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Our regional border security agency leaders also have a well-deserved reputation for cross border cooperation and effectiveness in partnering with private sector transportation providers in deploying innovative, technology based procedures for enhanced security. “Harbour to Harbor” seaplane service affords Transport Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency a new and exciting venue to continue to showcase Canada’s innovative approach.

Additional resources and information can be found on the Tourism working group page here.
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Oil By Rail

Since 2012, the transportation of crude oil by freight rail has been rapidly increasing in Washington and other states in the Pacific Northwest. The spate of recent derailments in Canada and the U.S. has led to new regulations in oil train operations and tank car construction, along with an increased local desire for transparency and accountability in regards to oil train routing and scheduling. In order to address these issues, the Center for Regional Disaster Resilience has begun to explore oil freight rail transportation and safety as part of its Program Areas.

Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) and the Center for Regional Disaster Resilience (CRDR) hosted an Oil Train Safety Symposium at Clover Park Technical College in Lakewood, Washington on April 27, 2016. The Transportation Working Group, co-chaired by Sen. Chuck Winder, Idaho, and Bruce Agnew, Director, Cascadia Center for Regional Development, has addressed oil by rail concerns at recent PNWER meetings.

This symposium provided a comprehensive overview of the current and future status of oil by rail transportation and emphasize partnerships to help ensure oil transport safety is being addressed across the region. By fostering dialogue between public and private sector entities, PNWER and CRDR hope to increase mutual understanding of oil train safety issues in a broad and holistic manner by including stakeholders from all parts of the supply chain both in the U.S. and Canada. The Symposium agenda is still under development; topics will include an overview of the transportation of hazardous material by rail, the driving factors behind the rise of oil transportation by rail, potential safety hazards, incident response, and planning for future movement of other fuel products. 

​Find the event report, presentation, and oil safety news here.
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Leadership

Dave Sherman
VP of Idaho and Montana
WSP
​Co-chair
MLA Shane Getson
Member of the Legislative Assembly
Government of Alberta
​Co-chair

PNWER Staff

Tom Lang
​Assistant Director, PNWER​ RIA
[email protected]
p: 206-443-7723
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