The US High Speed Rail Coalition said the new funding, which follows an award of US$1bn in private activity bonds to Brightline West in 2020 and a US$3bn federal grant for the project announced in December, is yet another sign of President Biden’s strong commitment to creating an electric bullet train network in the West and eventually nationwide.
In December, the President also announced a US$3.07bn grant to help California High-Speed Rail complete its initial operating segment in the Central Valley.
Private activity bonds help spur private sector transportation projects through access to attractive tax-exempt financing.
“High-speed rail in America is now beginning to take off,” said Andy Kunz, CEO of US High Speed Rail. “This latest funding will give a major boost in confidence, not only for Brightline West but for bullet train projects in the Western US and across the country.”
The Biden Administration has provided early planning funding for new high-speed rail corridors, including: Atlanta, GA – Charlotte, NC; Fort Worth, TX – Dallas, TX – Houston, TX; Palmdale, CA – Victorville, CA and Portland, OR – Seattle, WA – Vancouver, BC.
The US High Speed Rail Coalition has aggressively advocated for funding for Brightline West, California High Speed Rail, and other key bullet train projects in recent years.
Brightline West is 218-mile all-electric passenger rail service between Las Vegas and Southern California. It will reach speeds up to 200mph with no grade crossings and the alignment is within the median of the I-15 highway. The system will feature three full-service stations in Las Vegas, Victor Valley and Rancho Cucamonga, California.
The line is due to open in Summer 2028. Yesterday (January 23), Brightline West launched field investigation work in Southern California within the proposed rail corridor within Interstate 15 (I-15) right-of-way. The field work will advance final stages of design in preparation for a groundbreaking. Field work also began earlier this month in Nevada.