High-speed Airo trains are coming to Seattle

Seattle has begun construction on a $300 million maintenance facility for Amtrak's new Airo trains, which can travel at speeds of 125 miles per hour. This facility, located in SoDo, will support the Airo trains on the Amtrak Cascades route connecting Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver B. C. It is expected to be operational by the end of next year, according to Amtrak spokesperson W. Kyle Anderson.

The construction will involve significant groundwater pumping, with 500,000 gallons removed daily from the site, which sits on a former tidal bed. The facility will stretch 600 feet, accommodating the full Airo trainset, which cannot be separated like older railcars. Although Seattle's facility is the second to break ground, it will be the first to open. Amtrak President Roger Harris highlighted the Pacific Northwest as a priority for the company, noting that this investment will meet growing customer demand for modern rail services. The project signifies a commitment to enhancing rail infrastructure in the region.