USDOT approves $2.5 billion in private activity bonds for Brightline West High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail project

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) has approved $2.5 billion in private activity bonds allocated for the Brightline West High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail project connecting Las Vegas, Nev., and southern California. The 218-mile, high-speed rail line will primarily run along the I-15 median, with trains capable of reaching at least 186 mph, cutting the trip to two hours – half the time to travel by car. Brightline West’s $12 billion high-speed rail project will be a fully electric, zero-emission system to become one of the greenest forms of transportation in the U.S.   

“Today, the Biden-Harris administration takes the next step to fulfill the promise of high-speed rail in the American West, with $2.5 billion in private activity bond authority to lay tracks, create jobs and connect American cities,” said USDOT Secretary Pete Buttigieg. “President Biden’s historic infrastructure package gives us the opportunity to build safe, green and accessible rail systems that will deliver benefits to the American people for generations to come.”  

“Building a high speed rail corridor from Las Vegas to southern California will drive economic investment and opportunity across the region,” said USDOT Deputy Secretary Polly Trottenberg. “Residents and visitors alike will benefit from access to a fast and sustainable travel option that better connects key cities.” 

USDOT previously approved a private activity bond allocation of $1 billion for Brightline West in 2020, bringing the total allocation for this project to $3.5 billion. In December, USDOT also awarded a $3 billion grant from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act to the Nevada Department of Transportation for the project. In June, USDOT awarded a $25 million grant to San Bernardino County Transportation Authority through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity Program that will be used for the construction of the Brightline West stations in Hesperia and Victor Valley, Calif.  

“As the first true high-speed rail system in America, Brightline West will serve as the blueprint for connecting cities with fast, eco-friendly passenger rail throughout the country,” said 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. We appreciate the confidence placed in us by USDOT and are ready to get to work.” 

Field work 

Brightline West is launching field investigation work within the 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. 

Field investigation work includes geotechnical borings and samplings, utility potholing and land surveying. Work will take place primarily during daytime hours, with some work at night to minimize disruption to traffic. In some instances, short term closures of freeway shoulders will be required. The work is being done in coordination with Caltrans.  

Upcoming field investigation areas can be found on Brightline West’s website. Brightline West will release updated project areas as the field work advances.