Brightline West Breaks Ground on High-Speed Rail Connecting Las Vegas to California
by Briana Bonfiglio
Brightline is currently building the first U.S. high-speed train. Photo: Brightline
Brightline West broke ground Monday morning on the United States’ first-ever high-speed rail project, which when completed will connect Las Vegas to southern California.
More than 600 people attended the groundbreaking ceremony, including union representatives, government officials, and other project supporters. U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, Brightline Founder Wes Edens, and Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo were among those in attendance.
“This is a historic project and a proud moment where we break ground on America’s first high-speed rail system and lay the foundation for a new industry,” said Wes Edens, Brightline founder. “Today is long overdue, but the blueprint we’ve created with Brightline will allow us to repeat this model in other city pairs around the country.”
Brightline West now goes to work on a 218-mile, zero carbon emission rail system with fully electric trains that can travel up to 200 miles per hour. The railroad will run along I-15 and connect two of the nation’s most popular tourist destinations – Las Vegas and Los Angeles – in a train ride that will take half the time of driving.
The project is supported by a $3 billion award from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill. The remainder of the project is being privately funded.
“People have been dreaming of high-speed rail in America for decades – and now, with billions of dollars of support made possible by President Biden’s historic infrastructure law, it’s finally happening,” Buttigieg said. “Partnering with state leaders and Brightline West, we’re writing a new chapter in our country’s transportation story that includes thousands of union jobs, new connections to better economic opportunity, less congestion on the roads, and less pollution in the air.”
The project includes four stations along the brand-new Brightline route: Las Vegas Station, Victor Valley Station in Apple Valley, Rancho Cucamonga Station, and Hesperia Station.
Brightline West’s sister project, Brightline Florida, recently launched and currently operates a passenger rail connecting Orlando to Miami.
