Southwest High-Speed Rail Project Awarded $2.5 Billion in Private Bonds

The Brightline West line will break ground this year.

1 minute read

January 25, 2024, 10:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Rendering of Brightline West high-speed rail station in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Rendering of proposed Brightline West station in Las Vegas, Nevada. | Brightline West / Las Vegas Station Front Elevation

The Brightline West high-speed rail project is moving along, well, speedily with the recent approval of another $2.5 billion in “private activity bonds” financing. As an article for KTNV explains, “The DOT previously approved a $1 billion bond in 2020 to Brightline, a $3 billion grant in December 2023 to Nevada DOT, and a $25 million grant to the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority.”

The 218-mile rail line will be fully electric and connect Las Vegas to a transit center in Rancho Cucamonga, California, where riders can connect to other Southern California train systems. According to Brightline Founder and Chairman Wes Edens, “Connecting Las Vegas and Southern California will provide wide-spread public benefits to both states, creating thousands of jobs and jumpstarting a new level of economic competitiveness for the region.”

The project is expected to break ground early this year, with much of the line using existing right-of-way on Interstate 15.

Tuesday, January 23, 2024 in KTNV

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

1 hour ago - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

2 hours ago - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

3 hours ago - Newsweek

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.