California’s Brightline West High-Speed Rail Announces 2029 Completion Date

The Las Vegas-to-Southern California rail line was originally slated to open for service in time for the 2028 Olympics.

1 minute read

January 18, 2026, 10:00 AM PST

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


Rendering of white and yellow Brightline West train lounge car in motion.

Rendering of a Brightline West lounge car. | Brightline West /

The Brightline West high-speed rail project from Las Vegas to Southern California announced a new estimated completion date of late 2029, dashing hopes that the train would be ready in time for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

The project, which started development in 2018, was delayed by the Covid-19 pandemic.  As Sam Stevenson explains in Newsweek, “Construction work is active at the site of the future Las Vegas train station, located off I-15 near the 215, though Brightline has not yet announced when track-laying will begin.” The train will run primarily along the I-15 corridor between Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga, where riders will be able to connect to regional Metrolink trains.

Thursday, January 15, 2026 in Newsweek

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