The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced $6.1 billion in funding for two high-speed rail projects in Nevada and California that will make history upon their respective completions at the end of the decade.
Both the $8 billion Brightline West plan connecting Southern California to Las Vegas and the California High-Speed Rail project between Los Angeles and San Francisco will receive a total of $3 billion and $3.07 billion each.
The funding will help propel the former towards a formal project announcement that is expected by Friday, according to Reuters. The latter will aid in the development of a pared-down version of the larger California project that has been plagued by funding challenges for several years.
Brightline’s chairman Wes Edens told Reuters the funding marks a “historic moment that will serve as a foundation for a new industry and a remarkable project that will serve as the blueprint for how we can repeat this model throughout the country.”
“California is delivering on the first 220-mph, electric high-speed rail project in the nation,” Governor Gavin Newsom said in a separate announcement. “This show of support from the Biden-Harris Administration is a vote of confidence in today's vision and comes at a critical turning point, providing the project new momentum.”
Another $1 billion was provided for a rail project between Raleigh, North Carolina, and Richmond, Virginia.
1 Comment
I believe in developing high-speed bullet trains, but I find the Southern California to Vegas Route puzzling! There are many other routes that would make more economical sense, in terms of connecting populated areas.
Block this user
Are you sure you want to block this user and hide all related comments throughout the site?
Archinect
This is your first comment on Archinect. Your comment will be visible once approved.