US$3.75 billion in federal funds has been secured to commence construction on the Southern California-Las Vegas high-speed rail project. US Senator Jacky Rosen announced the news on the project that will “help bolster Southern Nevada’s tourism economy and reduce congestion on the Interstate 15 corridor.” The funding for the Brightline West high-speed rail has come about due to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law according to a news source. A statement from Brightline claims that the rail system will remove 3 million vehicles from the I-15 yearly. This will reduce carbon emissions by over 400,000 tons every year. Additionally, it will create 35,000 well-compensated, union jobs.
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In total, the project costs US$12 million and has been in the works for decades. It involves 218 miles of rail construction along the I-15 freeway which is currently, the main road connecting the two cities. Officials have stated the trains will carry passengers at nearly 200 mph. This cuts in half a four-hour freeway trip from a station in Las Vegas through Victorville, to a light-rail line in Rancho Cucamonga. Furthermore, they say the service could help alleviate weekend or end-of-holiday travel traffic jams. They often stretch for 15 miles on the 15 Freeway near the Nevada-California line.
Comments on the Southern California-Las Vegas high-speed rail
“This historic high-speed rail project will be a game changer for Nevada’s tourism economy and transportation. It’ll bring more visitors to our state, reduce traffic on the I-15, create thousands of good paying jobs, and decrease carbon emissions, all while relying on local union labor,” said Senator Rosen. “For decades, Nevadans have heard about the benefits of high-speed rail. I’m proud to have led the charge for months to push the U.S. Department of Transportation to secure critical funding to make this a reality. I’ll always fight to support Nevada’s tourism economy and create good-paying, union jobs.”
