California to Las Vegas High-Speed Rail: Expected for Construction in 2020

Virgin Trains USA, formerly Brightline, is making progress on long-anticipated plans for a high-speed rail connection between Las Vegas and Victorville, California.

1 minute read

September 9, 2019, 12:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Welc_me to Fabulous Las Vegas

pocheco / Flickr

"After a number of fits and starts, plans for a high-speed train connecting California and Las Vegas are back on track," reports Samara Lynn.

"A representative from Virgin Trains USA, formerly known as Brightline, confirmed to ABC News that the company is on track to start construction in the first half of 2020," after announcing progress on the design of the project at the Nevada Economic Development Conference held at the end of August.

Daniel Brightmore provides additional details of Virgin USA's progress on the long-awaited high-speed rail route in a separate article.

"Virgin Trains USA Vice President Bob O’Malley told delegates at the Nevada Economic Development Conference that design work was 30% complete," according to Brightmore. "O’Malley said the company was currently seeking financing for a line that could serve up to 22 million travellers per year, offering transport between cities that are 'too close to fly, too far to drive'."

Thursday, August 29, 2019 in ABC News

Sweeping view of Portland, Oregon with Mt. Hood in background against sunset sky.

Oregon Passes Exemption to Urban Growth Boundary

Cities have a one-time chance to acquire new land for development in a bid to increase housing supply and affordability.

March 12, 2024 - Housing Wire

Aerial view of green roofs with plants in Sydney, Australia.

Where Urban Design Is Headed in 2024

A forecast of likely trends in urban design and architecture.

March 10, 2024 - Daily Journal of Commerce

Cobblestone street with streetcar line, row of vintage streetlights on left, and colorful restaurant and shop awnings on right on River Street in Savannah, Georgia.

Savannah: A City of Planning Contrasts

From a human-scales, plaza-anchored grid to suburban sprawl, the oldest planned city in the United States has seen wildly different development patterns.

March 12, 2024 - Strong Towns

Aerial View of Chuckanut Drive and the Blanchard Bridge in the Skagit Valley.

Washington Tribes Receive Resilience Funding

The 28 grants support projects including relocation efforts as coastal communities face the growing impacts of climate change.

March 18 - The Seattle Times

Historic buildings in downtown Los Angeles with large "Pan American Lofts" sign on side of building.

Adaptive Reuse Bills Introduced in California Assembly

The legislation would expand eligibility for economic incentives and let cities loosen regulations to allow for more building conversions.

March 18 - Beverly Press

View from above of swan-shaped paddleboats with lights on around artesian fountain in Echo Park Lake with downtown Los Angeles skylien in background at twilight.

LA's Top Parks, Ranked

TimeOut just released its list of the top 26 parks in the L.A. area, which is home to some of the best green spaces around.

March 18 - TimeOut

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.