Brightline to Begin Construction on $12 Billion High-Speed Rail Project Connecting Las Vegas and Southern California

Privately owned train company Brightline is set to embark on a groundbreaking $12 billion high-speed rail project connecting Las Vegas and Southern California. The project, which will be officially kicked off next week in Las Vegas, has garnered significant attention and support, including from Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg.

With $3 billion in federal funds from President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Brightline West aims to have trains running as early as 2028, just in time for the Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. Travelers can look forward to electric trains departing every 45 minutes from Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga, reaching speeds of up to 186 mph and completing the 218-mile journey in about 2 hours and 10 minutes.

President Biden expressed excitement about the project, calling it the first high-speed rail project in the nation’s history. Other high-speed rail projects are also in the works in California, Texas, and the Pacific Northwest, promising faster and more efficient travel options for passengers.

Brightline West’s estimated ridership numbers are impressive, with projections indicating that millions of people will opt for the train over driving or flying between the two popular destinations. The company’s success in Florida, where it operates a similar high-speed rail connecting Miami to Orlando, bodes well for the upcoming project out West.

With comfortable stations, onboard amenities, and strong ridership numbers, Brightline West is poised to revolutionize travel between major U.S. cities like Los Angeles and Las Vegas. The project represents a significant step forward in modernizing transportation infrastructure and providing travelers with fast, convenient, and sustainable options for getting from point A to point B.