Construction is scheduled to commence this Monday on a monumental $12 billion high-speed rail project that will connect Las Vegas to the Los Angeles area. Brightline West, a sister company to the operator of the high-speed line between Miami and Orlando, plans to establish 218 miles (351 kilometers) of track. The route will span from a new terminal just south of the Las Vegas Strip to another terminal in Rancho Cucamonga, California, primarily along the median of Interstate 15, with a stop in Victorville, located in San Bernardino County.
Wes Edens, the founder and Chairperson of Brightline Holdings, heralded this initiative as laying the groundwork for a burgeoning industry. The project aims to bridge other U.S. cities that are inconveniently distanced for driving but too close to justify flying, according to Edens. The anticipated completion of this rail service is aligned with the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028, offering an alternative and efficient transportation option for the expected influx of visitors and residents.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is set to attend the groundbreaking ceremony. The project has garnered significant federal support with $6.5 billion from the Biden administration, including a $3 billion grant and authorization for $2.5 billion in tax-exempt bonds. Additional funding comes from a federally approved sale of $1 billion in bonds in 2020.
This rail line is designed to be the first genuine high-speed rail in the United States, reaching speeds of 186 mph (300 kph), on par with Japan’s Shinkansen bullet trains. The location for the Southern California terminal will link directly to downtown Los Angeles, enhancing connectivity and accessibility.
Projected to reduce the current four-hour drive across the Mojave Desert to just over two hours, the service expects to handle 11 million passengers annually or approximately 30,000 each day. Offering amenities such as restrooms, Wi-Fi, food and beverage services, and luggage check-in, the train aims to provide a competitive and more convenient alternative to air travel, with significantly lower fares.
This development is seen as a crucial solution to the chronic congestion on I-15, a frequent issue for Southern Californians driving to and from Las Vegas. Las Vegas, with a population nearing 3 million and over 40 million annual visitors, experiences significant traffic, evidenced by the more than 44,000 vehicles crossing the California-Nevada state line daily in 2023. By providing a high-speed rail option, officials hope to alleviate some of this congestion and offer a more sustainable travel option for the region.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/high-speed-train-vegas-los-angeles-brightline-595913ff2fa3d9001fb89bfab4e6c4d2