Las Vegas to LA high-speed rail project breaks ground

The Las Vegas-Los Angeles high speed rail project has celebrated its groundbreaking in Sin City.

It marks a key milestone in progress toward a nationwide electric high-speed rail network, the U.S. High Speed Rail Coalition said.

Brightline West will be America’s first operating true high-speed rail line, scheduled for completion in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics.

The train will reach speeds of 200 miles per hour, completing the 218-mile trip to Rancho Cucamonga in just over two hours.

From there it links with Southern California’s commuter rail system.

“We applaud the vision and focus of the Brightline West team to make this ambitious project a reality,” said Ray LaHood, Coalition Co-Chair and former U.S. Transportation Secretary.

“This is a major step forward for a fast, clean and safe nationwide electric high-speed rail system.”

The progress has been more than a decade in the making.

More recently the Coalition has aggressively advocated for funding for Brightline West, California’s high-speed rail system, and other key projects.

“A lot of hard work has gone into making this day happen,” said Andy Kunz, CEO of U.S. High Speed Rail.

“The rest of the world has reaped the benefits of high-speed rail for decades and now it’s America’s turn.”

The groundbreaking ceremony was attended by U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Senior White House Advisor Steve Benjamin as well as other federal, state and local elected officials.

The groundbreaking comes as the California High-Speed Rail Authority moves toward completion of its initial 171-mile segment in the Central Valley.

Phase I of the bullet train project will take passengers from Los Angeles to San Francisco in under three hours.

In December, President Biden awarded $6.1 billion in federal grants for high-speed rail projects, which is the largest investment ever of its kind.

These include $3 billion for the Brightline West and $3.07 billion for California’s project, which will also be the world’s first solar-powered bullet train.

Biden also provided planning funding for high-speed rail corridors across the country, including: Atlanta, GA to Charlotte, NC; and Portland, OR to Seattle, WA and Vancouver, BC.

The U.S High Speed Rail Coalition mobilizes labor unions, companies, and public servants to advance investments in high-speed rail projects. 

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