by Kristen Hess
Last updated: 12:05 PM ET, Tue April 23, 2024
The early stages of construction have already started
on the first high-speed rail system that connects Las Vegas and Southern California.
The soon-to-be-constructed, eco-friendly 218-mile rail
system is the result of $3 billion in funding from President Biden's
infrastructure bill, $3.5 billion in private activity bonds from the U.S.
Department of Transportation (DOT), and substantial private funding. The new
system will consist entirely of all-electric trains that can travel up to 200
miles per hour and run within the median of the I-15 highway, with stops in Las
Vegas, Victor Valley, Hesperia, and Rancho Cucamonga.
"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," U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete 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,"
Buttigieg continued.
A number of notable people attended the 600-person
groundbreaking ceremony, including Buttigieg,Brightline
Founder Wes Edens, Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, Sen. Jacky Rosen, California Rep.
Pete Aguilar, Senior Advisor to President Biden Steve Benjamin and Vince
Saavedra of the Southern Nevada Building Trades. In addition, Nevada Reps. Dina
Titus, Susie Lee, Steve Horsford, and California Rep. Norma Torres also
attended.
"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," Brightline founder Wes Edens said.
"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."
Planned Stops and Stations
Several stations are planned to be constructed in the
near future, including a Las Vegas station located near the Vegas Strip that
provides travelers easy access to the Harry Reid International Airport, the Las
Vegas Convention Center, and the Raiders' Allegiant Stadium. A Rancho Cucamonga
station that offers travelers ready-at-hand access to the Ontario National
Airport and Metrolink for connectivity to Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino,
and Riverside Counties. Furthermore, besides the stations in Las Vegas and
Rancho Cucamonga, a Hesperia Station and a Victor Valley station located in
Apple Valley are also planned, as well as a large maintenance facility in
Sloan.
Economic, Market, and Environmental Effects
Currently, Las Vegas and Southern California are some
of the most prominent travel destinations in the U.S., attracting over 50
million visitors annually, with six million going to the Las Vegas Convention
Center. In addition, around 33 percent of visits to Las Vegas come from
Southern California residents. Now, 17 million Southern California residents
will live within 25 miles of the Brightline West station site for almost
effortless access.
This new infrastructure investment will have a nearly
$10 billion economic impact for both California and Nevada and will be a
massive job creator for both states, creating an estimated 35,000 new careers.
"Having high-speed rail in Las Vegas will
electrify our economy in Southern Nevada, and I'm thrilled to celebrate this
milestone today," Senator Catherine Cortez Masto said.
"This project is on track to create tens of
thousands of good-paying union jobs while cutting down traffic on I-15, and
I'll keep working with the Biden Administration to get this done as quickly as
possible and continue delivering easier and cleaner transportation options for
everyone in Nevada," Masto continued.
Besides its numerous positive economic and market
impacts, this new project will also have several positive environmental
impacts, including a reduction in the number of cars on the road and the amount
of time driven, which could reduce miles driven by 700,000 and tons of
greenhouse gases by 400,000 tons of CO2 annually.
"Californians driving between the Los Angeles
region and Las Vegas often face heavy traffic, causing emissions that pollute
the air in surrounding communities," Senator Alex Padilla said.
"The Brightline West Project will provide
travelers with more options—helping Californians and visitors alike get to
their final destination without facing gridlock on the road," Padilla
continued.
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