Palm Springs, CA

While plans are not set to pass directly through greater Palm Springs, starting today, construction is slated to commence on a $12 billion high-speed passenger rail line between Southern California and Las Vegas. Brightline West plans to lay down 218 miles of new track, stretching from a terminal near the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip to a new facility in Rancho Cucamonga. This journey typically spans more than three hours by car.

Once complete, it should be a 2 hour trip each way with an expected 11 million one way passengers each year creating jobs for Southern Californians.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg is joining Brightline leaders to kick off construction in Las Vegas. Brightline has secured significant support from the Biden administration, including a backing of $6.5 billion. This includes a $3 billion grant from federal infrastructure funds and approval to issue an additional $2.5 billion in tax-exempt bonds.

Notably, in 2020, the company also received federal authorization to issue $1 billion in similar bonds.