Work on High-Speed Vegas Train Proves $12B Project Really Happening

Posted on: April 8, 2024, 02:52h. 

Last updated on: April 9, 2024, 09:16h.

Corey Levitan Read More
Expertise: Commercial Gaming, Entertainment, Expert Insight, Las Vegas.

Work has finally begun on the long-delayed high-speed rail project from Las Vegas to LA. This welcome news comes despite half of the $12 billion budget for Brightline West still being unaccounted for, and despite a backlash caused by the recent admission from the company’s founder that a round-trip ticket would eventually cost more than $400.

This rendering shows the route that will be taken by Brightline West trains in the median of Interstate 15. Please note that, though not shown, tracks for the train to ride on will be part of the plan. (Image: Brightline)

Working on the Railroad

Engineers from both Nevada and California are surveying and performing geotechnical drilling up and down the medians of Interstate 15, where the train will eventually zoom along at speeds up to 200 mph.

Geotechnical drilling tests for potentially unsuitable foundations for construction. These include loose coarse-grained soils, peats, or soft fine-grained soils.

Brightline West will cover the 218 miles from Las Vegas to Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., mostly along the Interstate 15 right-of-way. Light rail connections will carry passengers the 37 additional miles west to Los Angeles. (Image: Brightline)

Crews in Nevada are moving closer to the California border, KLAS-TV/Las Vegas reported on Monday, while California crews are currently working in the Cajon Pass and near Hesperia.

In addition to the first real evidence of the first passenger train service to Las Vegas since Amtrak discontinued its Desert Wind service in 1997, this preliminary engineering work is providing Las Vegas residents and tourists with some very real traffic disruptions.

Short-term closures will affect freeway shoulders during daytime and nighttime hours, something everybody’s going to have to get used to.

Train Schedule

Here are the areas where crews are working this week:

Nevada

I-15 median north of Jean, Nev. (milepost 12.5-27.5)
Survey work until Thursday, April 11, 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

I-15 median north of Primm, Nev. (milepost 5-12.5)
Geotechnical boring and survey work until Thursday, April 11, 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

California

I-15 Coyote Lake Road to Old Hwy 58 Connector
Nighttime closures on the southbound exterior shoulder from Wednesday, April 10 to Thursday, April 11, 10 p.m. to 7 a.m.

I-15 from Palmdale Road to south of Ranchero Road

  • Daytime borings in Hesperia, Monday, April 8 through Friday, April 12, 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Nighttime closures, Monday, April 8 through Friday, April 12, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

I-15 Oak Hill Road to Baseline Avenue

  • Daytime borings at Oak Hill Road and in the Cajon Pass, and at the Etiwanda Bike Trail in Fontana, Monday, April 8 through Friday, April 12, 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Nighttime closures northbound and southbound I-15 shoulders and center median, Monday, April 8 through Friday, April 12, 9 p.m. to 5 a.m.

Brightline hopes to open the rail service in time for the 2028 Olympics in LA.