LAS VEGAS — America’s first true high-speed rail system connecting Las Vegas to Southern California is one step closer to completion.
The high-speed rail project is set to dramatically change travel between Southern California and Las Vegas, with a 218-mile line running along Interstate 15. The 218-mile passenger rail service will operate from Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga, California. The developers predicted that it would serve around 9 million one-way passengers upon full completion.
Progress began in 2018, when Brightline acquired XpressWest and started obtaining permits. COVID-19 presented delays, and despite being given the green light for federal funding by Joe Biden, construction was only well underway in 2025.
Construction is now focused on the future train station located south of the Strip as developers focus on completing the construction of the parking garage. The latest update from Brightline is that the project is in the civil construction phase, preparing I-15 and the surrounding land.
The railway could be a beacon of hope for the city still struggling with sluggish tourism, making it easier for millions of Southern California residents to carry out weekend trips to Las Vegas. The Project estimates suggest it could generate more than 500 million passenger miles traveled annually.
