Cost nearly triples to build train between LA, Las Vegas

"The company that owns the Brightline West project, which plans to build a nearly 220-mile rail line connecting Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga, has recently revealed that the cost is almost three times higher than initially projected. The project was initially expected to cost $8 billion, and more recently, the number grew to $16 billion. As first reported by Bloomberg, a report from the Transportation Department released Wednesday estimated that the cost of building Brightline West is now $21.5 billion."

"DesertXpress Enterprises, which operates as Brightline West, planned to keep costs down by starting the rail line in Rancho Cucamonga, approximately 40 miles east of Los Angeles, thereby prompting travelers to use the existing Metrolink line from Union Station in Downtown LA. The company is also building the high-speed rail in the median of Interstate 15 to reduce costs associated with land acquisition. However, these cost-cutting measures were not enough to keep the project on budget."

"The Trump Administration has gutted federal funding for other high-speed rail projects in California and other parts of the country. In July, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy announced it was rescinding $4 billion allocated for the California high-speed rail project and said it was "time for this boondoggle to die." The administration also backed out of a $60 million grant for high-speed rail in Texas."

Brightline West plans a nearly 220-mile high-speed rail line connecting Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga. Project cost estimates rose from an initial $8 billion to $16 billion and were recently estimated at $21.5 billion. DesertXpress Enterprises planned cost reductions by starting the line in Rancho Cucamonga to use existing Metrolink service and by constructing the rail in the Interstate 15 median to limit land acquisition costs. Rising labor and material costs prompted a revised financial plan that includes a $6 billion loan application to the Trump administration. The Trump administration has reduced federal funding for other high-speed rail projects, rescinding $4 billion for California and withdrawing a $60 million Texas grant.

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