More on the California High-speed rail project
Brightline West is set to break ground this month on its ambitious $12 billion high-speed rail project linking Las Vegas and Southern California. The groundbreaking ceremony, scheduled for 10:30 a.m. Monday at the future Brightline West station site in Las Vegas marks a historic milestone for the project.
A Milestone Moment
The flagship station, located on 110 acres north of Blue Diamond Road and south of Harry Reid International Airport, will be the focal point of the groundbreaking event. Expected speakers include U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Brightline founder and chairman Wes Edens, and various federal, state, and local officials from California and Nevada.
Funding Boost
Brightline West received a significant financial boost in December when President Biden announced $3 billion in funding from the Administration’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This injection of funds has propelled the project forward, paving the way for the first true high-speed passenger rail system in the nation between Las Vegas and Southern California.
California Stations
The all-electric rail service will feature passenger stations in Apple Valley, Hesperia, and Rancho Cucamonga. The Victor Valley Station, situated on 300 acres southeast of the Dale Evans Parkway and I-15 interchange in Apple Valley, may serve as a future hub connecting to the High Desert Corridor and California High-Speed Rail systems.
The Hesperia Station, located within the I-15 median at the I-15/Joshua Street interchange, will primarily serve as a local rail service for High Desert residents commuting into greater Los Angeles. The Rancho Cucamonga Station, located near Ontario International Airport, will offer connectivity to downtown Los Angeles and other destinations throughout the region.
High-Speed Rail
At speeds up to 200 miles per hour, trains will transport passengers 218 miles from Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga in about two hours, significantly faster than the normal drive time. Trains are expected to operate daily at one-hour intervals, with a trip between Hesperia and Rancho Cucamonga taking about 35 minutes.
Job Opportunities
In partnership with unions and governed by project labor agreements, the Brightline West project is expected to create over 10,000 union construction jobs, with an additional 35,000 jobs supported across the construction period. In operations, Brightline West is expected to support over 1,000 permanent jobs, with about 900 being full-time union positions.
Future Outlook
Brightline's goal is to complete the rail system by summer 2028, in time for the summer Olympics in Los Angeles. As construction commences, the project is poised to transform transportation in the region, offering a faster, more efficient, and environmentally friendly mode of travel between Las Vegas and Southern California.
Conclusion
The groundbreaking of Brightline West's high-speed rail project represents a significant step forward in realizing a modern, efficient transportation system for the region. With its ambitious goals and potential for economic and job growth, Brightline West is set to redefine travel between Las Vegas and Southern California for generations to come.