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Biden Administration Boosts High-Speed Rail Projects in Nevada and California
“Biden administration pledges $6B in federal funding for high-speed rail projects in Nevada and California, closing the gap in passenger service.”
A pair of high-speed rail projects in Nevada and California is receiving a significant boost with Washington’s support. The Biden administration has committed over $6 billion in federal funding for high-speed rail, aiming to bridge the gap between the United States and other developed nations in terms of fast and reliable passenger service.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted the need to reverse decades of disinvestment in the country’s rail systems. The $8 billion in funding for passenger rail, including $3 billion for Brightline West, an intercity passenger system connecting Las Vegas and Southern California, marks the largest investment in passenger rail since the creation of Amtrak over 50 years ago.
Brightline, already operating high-speed service between Miami and Orlando, expressed enthusiasm for the project. Chair Wes Edens called it a historic moment and a blueprint for future endeavors across the country. The federal grant, while not covering the entire estimated $12 billion cost, is one of the largest infrastructure grants ever awarded to a private company. The goal is to open the line in time for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
The announcement has been celebrated by rail advocates who believe high-speed rail will transform the nation’s transportation system, reducing congestion, fossil fuel dependency, and advancing the fight against climate change. Additionally, nearly $3.1 billion in funding was allocated to a high-speed rail project in California, specifically for the construction of a 171-mile segment between Merced and Bakersfield in the Central Valley.
Transportation Secretary Buttigieg acknowledged the challenges faced by these projects but expressed optimism that as new intercity routes begin carrying passengers, the appetite for high-speed rail in the United States will grow. While it will take time and significant investment, Buttigieg anticipates noticeable improvements and the experience of true high-speed rail on American soil within the decade.
Here are some helpful links:
https://www.brightlinewest.com/
https://abc7.com/high-speed-rail-train-las-vegas-ranch-cucamonga/14169118/
https://q5i.09c.myftpupload.com/category/the-bridge/urbanism/