Brightline West, the private company bringing high-speed rail between Nevada and California, announced the signing of a $3 billion federal grant. The company said the grant will "provide the critical funding needed to bring to life" the 218-mile rail construction project, which broke ground earlier this year.
Michael Reininger, CEO of Brightline, said in a statement, "This is a historic commitment that will jumpstart the high-speed rail industry in America, creating thousands of jobs all across the country,”
The company announced that the project would create over 35,000 jobs during construction, from materials production to transportation, and it would include more than 10,000 union construction jobs. Brightline signed labor agreements with the California and Southern Nevada Building Trades Union to construct the project and the High-Speed Rail Labor Coalition to operate and maintain the system.
To support construction labor needs, Brightline West plans to collaborate with educational institutions on pre-apprenticeship programs to support union partners. Administrative and construction roles are expected to be filled during construction in this manner, and Brightline said this will provide a path to permanent jobs once the system is operational.
Once the high-speed rail project is completed, Brightline expects to fill around 1,000 operations and maintenance roles for a planned 2028 launch.
Rendering of Brightline West all-electric, high-speed train. The company states the zero-emissions trains can reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour. Image: Brightline West
According to a statement by Brightline West, elected officials from federal, state, and local governments called the grant signing a “major milestone” to move the project forward. Plans call for the rail line to connect Las Vegas and Southern California with “the nation’s first true high-speed passenger rail system.”
Planned route of Brightline West high-speed electric rail between Nevada and California. Image: Brightline West.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) officially signed the grant agreement awarded to the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) for Brightline West in a September ceremony.
Rendering of Brightline West high-speed rail station. Image: Brightline West.
CEO Reininger added, “Brightline West will be American-made and American-built and will serve as the blueprint for connecting city pairs that are too close to fly but too far to drive.”
Brightline currently operates the rail system connecting Central and South Florida with six stations and two in development.
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