A groundbreaking high-speed rail initiative linking the Inland Empire to Las Vegas has received a significant boost with a $3-billion federal grant, positioning it for an anticipated opening by 2028, just in time for the Los Angeles Olympic Games, as announced by officials on Tuesday.

Brightline, a private company celebrated for completing the final phase of an intercity rail line connecting Miami and Orlando, Florida, this year, successfully secured the grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation through the historic infrastructure package, according to Nevada’s U.S. senators. The remaining funds for the $12-billion project are slated to come from private capital and bonds.

The 218-mile electrified rail line from Rancho Cucamonga to Las Vegas is expected to offer a swift journey of just over two hours, with stops in Hesperia or Apple Valley, as indicated by Brightline. The trains are designed to achieve speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. The company has already obtained federal permits, labor agreements, and the necessary land—a stretch in the broad median of Interstate 15—for constructing the line. Construction is set to commence early next year. In Southern California, the rail line will integrate with the Metrolink commuter train system, establishing a direct connection to downtown Los Angeles. In Las Vegas, the terminus will be situated on the south end of Las Vegas Boulevard.

The Las Vegas station will include mobility connections and easy access to the Las Vegas Strip, the Raiders’ Allegiant Stadium, and the Las Vegas Convention Center. The flagship Las Vegas station will be on 110 acres at the south end of Las Vegas Blvd. Brightline West’s California stations will include Victor Valley and Rancho Cucamonga, with direct connectivity via California Metrolink to key points in Los Angeles, such as Union Station.

Brightline, having completed the final leg of a $6-billion, 235-mile line connecting Orlando and Miami last year, now eyes potential profitability in Florida and the construction of high-speed rail in Southern California. This could signify a notable shift in passenger rail services, traditionally dominated by Amtrak, a publicly funded corporation.

Andy Kunz, President and CEO of the U.S. High-Speed Rail Association, lauded the Biden administration's efforts to make high-speed rail a reality in America. The 2021 infrastructure bill allocated approximately $41.5 billion for programs related to high-speed rail, with expectations of additional funding announcements for rail projects nationwide this week.

While this project represents a significant stride into high-speed rail for the U.S., other countries like China, Japan, and various European nations have long embraced this mode of transportation, connecting major cities through efficient train networks. Kunz expressed confidence in Brightline's ability to swiftly construct the Vegas line, emphasizing that although the company did not secure the full $3.7-billion package, the grant ensures the project's progression. The envisioned train aims to serve as both a premium tourist attraction and a conventional transportation link between Southern California and Las Vegas. Brightline envisions the possibility for passengers to check into their Las Vegas hotels directly at the train station.

Senator Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.) hailed the high-speed rail project as a historic game-changer for Nevada's tourism and transportation, anticipating benefits such as increased tourism, reduced traffic on I-15, the creation of thousands of well-paying jobs, and a decrease in carbon emissions, all while relying on local union labor.

The project’s environmental benefits are equally impressive and designed to support Nevada and California’s climate strategies by promoting a no-emission mobility option that lowers greenhouse gases by more than 400,000 tons of CO2 each year. The diversion of people from auto and air travel to Brightline West’s high-speed rail system reduces vehicle miles traveled by more than 700 million each year and 16,000 short-haul flights annually.

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