The status of the Brightline West project, station locations & what it will be like to ride aboard the all-electric train

The all-electric Brightline West high-speed rail project was recently approved for $2.5 billion in private activity bonds by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Just last year, the project was also awarded a $3 billion grant from the federal government and a $25 million grant through the Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability & Equity Program.

This awarded money is a clear indicator that the project will undoubtedly be accomplished, despite the many years of speculation around building a train system in California. Therefore, here are a few things to know about the first high-speed rail system that is coming to Southern California.

WHERE WILL THE TRAIN TRAVEL TO?

The high-speed train will travel 218 miles from Rancho Cucamonga to Las Vegas, with stops along the way in both Hesperia and Apple Valley. The Apple Valley station will be located at Dale Evans Parkway near the 15 freeway, while the Hesperia station will be located at the 15 freeway and Joshua Street interchange. Both stations will include parking areas and accommodations for vehicles to be left overnight.

A trip from the Hesperia station to Rancho Cucamonga is estimated to take only 35 minutes for any commuters looking to quickly travel down-the-hill for work. The Rancho Cucamonga Station will be located conveniently next to the current Rancho Cucamonga Metro Station near the 15 freeway on Milliken Ave. A trip from the Rancho Cucamonga station to the Las Vegas station, which will be located on the south end of Las Vegas Blvd, is estimated to take only 2 hours and 10 minutes on the high-speed rail.

HOW WILL THE TRAIN WORK?

Brightline West will be the first high-speed rail system in the US and will run entirely on electricity. The Brightline West transportation company prides itself in becoming the greenest train in the United States, and according to their website, it will revolutionize transportation and “lower greenhouse gases by more than 400,000 tons of CO2 each year.”

All new tracks will be constructed to accommodate the all-electric train. Tracks will be laid in the median of the 15 freeway and will include an overhead catenary system, which includes electrical wires suspended over the tracks. The electrical system will power the train for faster travel, where the top speeds will reach up to 200 mph.

The trains will also be equipped with free wifi for all passengers, along with free charging points and outlets. Onboard, there will be reclining leather seats, state-of-the-art bathrooms, and carry-on storage for luggage or bags. Other accommodations include food, beverage, and cocktail service, which can be purchased aboard the train.

Currently, there is no ticket pricing available, but according to the Brightline West website for frequently asked questions, it states that “Ticket pricing will be determined closer to the start of operations but can be expected to be priced on par with the cost of gas and parking.”

WHEN WILL CONSTRUCTION BEGIN?

Construction will begin this year in 2024. In January, Brightline West announced that preparations were taking place in Nevada and California for the anticipated groundbreaking. The field investigations need to be completed first before they are able to break ground and the work includes land surveying, utility potholing, and sampling.

Currently, the Department of Labor is meeting with trade unions to begin hiring 11,000 construction workers for the Brightline West project. Once construction begins, the project is expected to take approx. 4 years to complete. To keep up with status of the construction project and road alerts, follow Brightline West on social media @BrightlineWest through  Facebook, X, or LinkedIn.

Did you know there is another high speed rail in the works for Southern California? Read our previous article that includes the High Desert Corridor Joint Powers Agency which is constructing a high speed rail in Palmdale, CA that will pass through Victorville.

All rendered photos courtesy of www.brightlinewest.com media. Video by San Bernardino County (sbcounty.gov)