On the fast track: High-speed rail line will connect LA, Vegas by 2028
With roughly 40% of the 40 million Los Angeles to Las Vegas travelers arriving by driving through Interstate 15, if a major incident were to happen — say a truck carrying lithium-ion batteries crashing and setting on fire — the roads could be closed down for hours, sometimes days, leaving travelers with very few other options. The Brightline West, the first true high-speed rail system in the U.S., is expected to bring about changes. The train system will be capable of speeds over 200 mph, meaning the 218-mile trip is expected to take just two hours, significantly reducing the travel time that varies from 3 to 6 hours on a low-traffic day. According to the ASCE, the $12 billion project, backed by a $3 billion federal grant, will see trains run primarily along the median of I-15, with stations in Rancho Cucamonga, Victorville and Las Vegas. The engineering work, led by firms like HNTB and Jacobs, focuses on maintaining efficiency, minimizing costs and utilizing a mix of single and double tracks. Safety enhancements include positive train control signaling system to monitor train movement and prevent accidents.
