The high-speed rail line will connect Southern California and Las Vegas via a two-hour trip along Interstate 15.

The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) signed off on $3 billion in funding for the Brightline West high-speed rail project that will connect Las Vegas to the Los Angeles area, releasing the funding to the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) and keeping the project on track to begin construction in 2025.
As Greg Haas explains in NewsNation, “Initial estimates indicate the high-speed train project will cost $12 billion. The train will run on tracks in the median of Interstate 15 and serve four stations — Las Vegas, and three stations in California at Victor Valley, Hesperia and Rancho Cucamonga, where it will connect to existing Metrolink lines to Los Angeles.”
Brightline already operates a high-speed rail line in Florida connecting Orlando and Miami. The company expects to launch the Southern California-to-Vegas service in time for the 2028 Olympics, which Los Angeles is hosting. The trip will take roughly two hours, with trains traveling at top speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. “The train is expected to reduce traffic congestion on I-15, removing 3 million cars from roadways and eliminating more than 400,000 tons of emissions annually, according to Brightline.”
FULL STORY: High-speed train project chugs ahead as $3B funding gets OK

Study: Maui’s Plan to Convert Vacation Rentals to Long-Term Housing Could Cause Nearly $1 Billion Economic Loss
The plan would reduce visitor accommodation by 25,% resulting in 1,900 jobs lost.

North Texas Transit Leaders Tout Benefits of TOD for Growing Region
At a summit focused on transit-oriented development, policymakers discussed how North Texas’ expanded light rail system can serve as a tool for economic growth.

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Santa Barbara Could Build Housing on County Land
County supervisors moved forward a proposal to build workforce housing on two county-owned parcels.

San Mateo Formally Opposes Freeway Project
The city council will send a letter to Caltrans urging the agency to reconsider a plan to expand the 101 through the city of San Mateo.

A Bronx Community Fights to Have its Voice Heard
After organizing and giving input for decades, the community around the Kingsbridge Armory might actually see it redeveloped — and they want to continue to have a say in how it goes.
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