VICTORVILLE, CA. (Pain In The Pass) >> High speed train is back on track to begin building the $8-billion rail line project this spring, said Brightline West.
The project stalled late last year when a proposed $2.4-billion bond sale to finance the early stages of the rail line did not attract any investors. With the election uncertainty and the lack of liquidity in the stock market did not allow the price of the bonds to provide long-term stability. A big part to blame is the coronavirus pandemic.
Brightline West President Sarah Watterson said they are preparing a revised financial plan for a groundbreaking date this spring.
The goal remains to begin passenger service by 2024.
Trains would be very beneficial for California and the Las Vegas area due to the weekend traffic that could save you 2+ hours of traffic time.
The trains would run every 45 minutes from 6am to midnight, carrying up to 500 people at speeds approaching 200 mph. The trip from Victorville to Las Vegas would take about 90 minutes.
Victorville station will be built off of Interstate 15 and Dale Evans Parkway.
Brightline also highlights new plans for an extension from Victorville to Rancho Cucamonga, (using the Cajon Pass). The second extension from Rancho to Los Angeles will also allow passengers to travel into downtown LA using the Metrolink rails. It plans for the extension to go online simultaneously with the Las Vegas-to-Victorville line in late 2023 or early 2024.
A trip from downtown Los Angeles to Las Vegas on the Brightline West may take a bit under three hours and could cost about $80 per person. Brightline said.
The Pain In The Pass website will bring you further project news and construction updates as the project progresses.
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