In a major move signaling the Biden administration‘s commitment to advancing high-speed rail, more than $6 billion will be allocated to propel two crucial electric rail projects in the U.S. West.
U.S. senators from California and Nevada have revealed that $3 billion will be granted for a privately owned high-speed rail link connecting Las Vegas to the Los Angeles area
Additionally, another $3.1 billion will fund the initial segment of California’s ambitious publicly-funded high-speed rail network, aiming to ultimately connect Los Angeles and San Francisco. This injection of funds, although a fraction of the total project costs, underscores the renewed focus on high-speed rail as a transformative mode of transportation in the U.S.
The California High-Speed Rail Authority, overseeing the public project, welcomes the federal commitment as a significant step forward. The funds aim to bridge a funding gap of approximately $10 billion for a crucial 119-mile segment linking Merced, Fresno, and Bakersfield in California’s Central Valley, known for poor air quality.
The long-discussed high-speed rail route between Las Vegas and Los Angeles receives a boost, with all necessary approvals secured
While the starting date for construction remains undisclosed, there are optimistic projections that electric-powered trains could be operational by the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, potentially easing traffic congestion on the busy Interstate 15 corridor. The bipartisan efforts of senators and lawmakers from both states underscore the potential economic benefits, job creation, and traffic alleviation promised by the high-speed rail projects.
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