Brightline West: The Future of High-Speed Rail in America
Getting from Las Vegas to Southern California in a high-speed bullet train
Getting from Las Vegas to Southern California in a high-speed bullet train might sound like a thing of the future, but Brightline West is working on making it a reality.
Construction Underway
Construction is currently underway for Brightline West, a 218-mile railway system that will connect a Los Angeles suburb to Sin City, turning a 4-hour car ride into a 2-hour high-speed train journey. The project is slated to complete by the year 2028, just in time for the Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Budget and Funding
This “dream” project is estimated to have cost $12 billion. Brightline West managed to secure $3 billion in federal funds in December, along with an additional $2.5 billion in private bonds from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Pete Buttigieg’s Statement
Pete Buttigieg, the Secretary of Transportation, expressed his optimism and stated, “People have been dreaming of high-speed rail in America for decades – and now, with billions of dollars of support made possible… it’s finally happening.”
The Vision Behind Brightline West
Brightline West is a long-awaited eco-transportation project by Brightline. It aims to connect Nevada to Southern California via a cutting-edge 218-mile railway system. The trains will be fully electric and zero-emission, boasting speeds of up to 200 miles per hour.
Brightline West Route and Stops
Brightline West’s high-speed rail will have various stops along its 218-mile route, including Las Vegas, Rancho Cucamonga, Victor Valley, and Hesperia. The route, which has obtained full environmental clearance, will run alongside I-15.
Future Endeavors by Wes Edens
Wes Edens, the founder of Brightline, referred to the project as “historic” and emphasized its potential impact as a foundation for a new industry. He shared, “This is a proud moment… where we break ground on America’s first high-speed rail system… But the blueprint we’ve created with Brightline will allow us to repeat this model in other city pairs around the country.”
The Rise of High-Speed Rail
Brightline West is the latest example of connecting city pairs that are too short to fly and too far to drive. A similar project was successfully completed in 2018 to connect Florida Central and South Florida.
Contributing: James Powell
