Brightline, a privately owned company that operates passenger rail service in Florida, will take over the development, construction and operation of the project and work with federal and local transportation officials to connect Las Vegas with Victorville, with future plans to expand into the Los Angeles area, according to a news release from Brightline.
“Brightline’s model is setting a new standard for train travel in America,” stated Patrick Goddard, president of Brightline. “We look forward to working with the region’s stakeholders to make this vision a reality.”
The first phase of the corridor is expected to be built on a right of way within and adjacent to Interstate 15, traversing 185 miles with no at-grade or pedestrian crossings. Construction is expected to begin next year and Brightline is planning to begin initial service in 2022.
“Planning for additional stations and connectivity to California Metrolink and eventually California High-Speed Rail is underway,” according to the Brightline news release.
These future plans may include a 60-mile link west between Victorville and Palmdale, where the line would meet with Metrolink commuter rail lines and the California High Speed Rail line that is under construction, according to the Las Vegas Review Journal.
To help facilitate the future High Desert Corridor freeway which will link Palmdale and Victorville, Palmdale helped create the High Desert Corridor Joint Powers Authority board, which includes Palmdale, Los Angeles County, San Bernardino County, Victorville and Adelanto.
The Board designated $270 million in Measure M transportation funds to acquire right-of-way between Victorville and Palmdale.
“This is a 25-year vision of the city. It is one part of a world-class transportation plan for the region,” said Palmdale Mayor Jim Ledford.
Similar to Brightline’s operations in Florida, the corridor between Southern California and Las Vegas is expected to generate major regional economic benefits, including construction and permanent job opportunities and local and state tax revenue.
“California has a vision for a modernized rail network that is fast, clean, and convenient for travelers, and the introduction of Brightline service linking Southern California to Las Vegas will help us achieve that vision” said California State Transportation Agency Secretary, Brian Annis. “Brightline will be beneficial for our economy and our transportation system.”
For more information, visit www.xpresswest.com or www.gobrightline.com.
Previous related stories:
China deal off for high speed rail to Vegas
Plans underway for high-speed rail between L.A. and Vegas
High Speed Train Summit coming to Palmdale
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David says
After all we have gutted miles of desert for solar fields already. And Poppy fields,how much have you saved on electricity? And what about that waste of time on Sierra and Ave “G” that solar joke never made a dime..wish Rex would give me that much land..I could make the city a little money back.solve some homeless people issues at the same time..let me know Mr.parris..
Laughing says
David, the solar plant on G was a test platform to show low tower centralized steam plant could reside within city limits and provide a lot of power. It was not created to produce for profit.
David says
Why not just put miles of solar fields in along side the railroad tracks should pay for all the electricity needed the run multiple trains..
Just wondering says
Now that’s worth considering.
Laughing says
Or to cap the aqueduct, to help keep it clean and provide the energy.
Alexis says
David, you are a genius!
Palmdale First says
Mayor Ledford has been the main driver of all things Transportation for the entire Antelope Valley for well over 25 years. The Las Vegas High Speed Rail that is connecting to Palmdale is a huge economic boon for the entire region. They said the 7 billion dollar project could start next year.
Lori says
Ideally, we need an efficient high speed rail concept dedicated, to efficient transportation of government employees, not drunks, potheads and compulsive gamblers. Site selection for these high speed bullet trains should be centered, upon urban conurbations with high concentrations of government employees. State government squanders billions on travel arraignments, transporting complacent, overpaid government officials about the state. Interconnecting state capitols, to major county seats, and to other state capitols, high speed rail pays for itself, and then some.
Cherry says
… a Las Vegas bullet train is a myopic, ass backward concept. We don’t need high speed rail, L.A. to Las Vegas. We need high speed rail, between Los Angeles and Sacramento, between San Francisco and Sacramento, and between Los Angeles and San Diego. Eventually, the network can be enhanced, with an east-west artery, San Luis Obispo-Bakersfield-Las Vegas. Running high speed rail, between Bakersfield and Las Vegas, eliminates several billion in asset duplication.
Casey Jones says
The LA to Vegas system is completely separate from the California High Speed Rail System. Yet they will connect. Just as it will connect to a nation wide high speed rail system.
Welcome to the 21st century, America.
Palmdale First says
Yes both high speed rail systems will connect at Palmdale, where our future airport will benefit from the High Speed connection. Our economy just got a lot better.
Laughing says
Both rail systems will meet in Palmdale at a common station area.
One is private owned and operated, the other public owned and operated.
One will be making money for the company fast.
The other will be a public debt for many decades.
Common folk (majority) would rather go to Vegas than Frisco, a lot more conventions and entertainment options that catch their eye (and wallet)
TheySmell says
I would use it as long as they keep away the Bums, Panhandlers and homeless.
Tim Scott says
It’s not like it will be free, and why would homeless people want to travel to Vegas?
Unfortunately, it will no doubt be loaded down with intolerant arrogant prigs who think they are superior humans because they can afford a weekend trip to Vegas.
some guy says
Why would homeless people want to travel to the AV? Honestly I doubt any bums would want to travel to Vegas, I was homeless there once and I was in handcuffs before I could even finish the sentence: “Excuse me sir, can you spare some change?” They are VERY strict about panhandling, especially on the strip.
Check your email Tim.
Tim Scott says
Done and done.
Laughing says
Homeless will congregate where handouts can be had. People leaving might have some money, people arriving might be flush. Thus a great spot to panhandle.
I am waiting to hear of a panhandler that is using PayPal or Square to get money via ATM cards.
Tom Meacham says
Now this train route makes more sense then Brown’s San Francisco train.
Laughing says
I would enjoy both. This should have been state owned and the money earned from operations used to build the San Fran to San Diego line.
Dinner in Frisco sounds nice. Then lunch in Lost Wages.
RUSS says
You don’t understand that the only way this rail to Vegas is commercially viable is gambling in Vegas. Money lost on the tables in Vegas is what will pay for such an outlandishly costly project. The CA High (Slow) Speed rail doesn’t have any way to pay for itself. It will only be paid for by tax payers being gouged paying more and more taxes to pay for the costly and non-commercially viable transportation. Riders paying for a ticket to ride either of these rails is nothing but a drop of water in the sea, as far as what it will cost cover these rails to be built and maintained.
Tim Scott says
So, you are totally unaware of the number of people with split time jobs between LA and SF? Check out the Burbank Airport sometime.
Gridlock says
This Las Vegas to LA route was studied and found that it was the 2nd best route in all of America and prime for service just like this High Speed Train. Private Investment paying should be a huge clue.
Laughing says
RUSS, I totally understand the viability of Vegas/Palmdale train. Thus my statement that it should have been a state run project, and the proceeds from passenger use then applied to the Frisco/Diego system.
See I just repeated my self in brief.
Richard Whiskey says
The bond for the high speed “Brown” train was approved when Arnold Schwarzenegger was governor. But that’s just a pesky fact. Most AV people ignore those.
Casey says
Why let facts get in the way of good old fashioned misinformation. Like the phrase, “Train to Nowhere”. I’m sorry, but Los Angeles and San Francisco are hardly nowhere. There are also substantial populations in San Jose, Sacramento, Fresno, Bakersfield, Palmdale, and San Diego.
The only nowhere is where you are going when you sit in traffic that is only getting worse.
RUSS says
This project’s cost overruns in the billions of dollars was only realized when Moonbeam was in office. So don’t blame people that were thinking that it would be an affordable endeavor when Arnold the idiot was in office. This overpriced project should have been stopped when the cost overruns in the billions started showing up during Jerry Moonbeams first term.
Thom says
This project will give much more than it takes is terms of reducing travel time, increasing productivity, creating jobs, enhancing tourism, reducing pollution, and improving quality of life. Just like projects such as the Transcontinental Railroad, Hoover Dam, Tennessee Valley Authority projects, the Interstate highway system, NASA, and the California Aqueduct, just a few examples, have bettered our lives.
Laughing says
It voters had been more intelligent back when I was 17 (first high speed rail vote in the late 1980s), the train would have cost much less, and would have had less legal hurdles. Short sightedness is now costing all of us much more money.
Tim Scott says
Add in the short sightedness of people who fight it at every turn. Then pile on with the power brokers of Lancaster who are now looking at the money that has been set aside for investment in right of ways for the high desert corridor and scratching their chins while they ponder how to embezzle it.
Or did you think their opposition was rooted in some public concern? Getting that money redirected into infrastructure improvements around some more of Frank Visco’s land is their concern, nothing more, nothing less. Fortunately, at the last regional transportation agency meeting a concerned citizen started recording them (legally) and ol’ Marv opted to back away from the vote he was pushing for.
What a coincidence that ol’ Marv is chairman of that agency, since the gang undercut the previous chairman…who had been steadily moving the ball forward on transportation issues for decades. Wonder why they did that…other than the 170 million reasons, of course.