Construction of Las Vegas-California High-Speed Rail Line Could Begin in 2025
Brightline West is moving closer to breaking ground on a highly anticipated high-speed rail line that will connect Southern Nevada to Southern California. According to the Las Vegas Review-Journal (LVRJ), officials are targeting 2025 to commence construction, a critical milestone in ensuring the rail line’s completion ahead of the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
A rendering of Brightline West's high-speed train that will run between Southern California and Las Vegas. (Source: Brightline West)
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:The $12 billion project has gained significant traction, bolstered by substantial federal financial backing and notable progress throughout 2024. In September, the Federal Railroad Administration awarded $3 billion to Brightline West and the Nevada Department of Transportation to help fund the rail initiative.
Related: Las Vegas-Los Angeles Bullet Train May Receive Federal FundingThis funding builds on $3.5 billion in private activity bonding authority previously approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation. An additional $2 billion in private activity bonds has increased the project’s bonding capacity to $5.5 billion.
These bonds provide private entities like Brightline with access to tax-exempt municipal bond financing, offering a critical funding mechanism. The remaining costs will be covered through a combination of equity contributions and further debt financing by Brightline.
Significant advancements have also been made in the project’s engineering and design phases. Brightline has conducted extensive geotechnical work and surveys across Nevada and California over the past year, paving the way for finalizing the project’s design plans.
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Attacking the Project from Multiple Fronts
Nevada Department of Transportation Director Tracy Larkin Thomason confirmed that progress is on track. Preparatory efforts include securing right-of-way occupancy permits for work within the I-15 corridor and refining design and cost estimates for the project.
Civil construction will proceed across four simultaneous work zones—one in Nevada and three in California, according to the LVRJ. Crews will focus on tasks such as modifying highway drainage systems, constructing essential infrastructure, laying foundations, and adjusting utilities to align with the rail system. After this phase, the systems and track contractor will assume responsibility for installing the track and electrification systems necessary for the all-electric train operations.
The 218-mile rail line will connect Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga, California. From Rancho Cucamonga, passengers will have access to the existing Metrolink rail network, facilitating travel to and from downtown Los Angeles. Additional stops are planned in Victor Valley and Hesperia, California, while maintenance facilities will be built in Sloan, Nevada, and Apple Valley, California, to support operations.
Siemens Mobility has been contracted to manufacture the train sets, which will be produced at a new facility in upstate New York. These trains are designed to achieve speeds of up to 200 miles per hour, cutting travel time between Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga to approximately two hours. Brightline West has yet to announce pricing details for the rail service.
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