TACOMA — Washington state is going after another $1 billion in federal stimulus money to pay for high-speed rail projects.

The state Department of Transportation applied earlier this week for $435 million to pay for 20 rail projects along the "high-speed" corridor between Eugene, Ore. and Vancouver, B.C. State officials say the projects will add additional daily Amtrak passenger trains between Seattle and Portland, as well as reduce rail congestion and improve on-time reliability.

The project list includes upgrades to tracks and facilities in Blaine, Everett, Tacoma, Seattle and Vancouver.

The News Tribune of Tacoma reports that the state plans to go more federal money for rail projects by October.