June 10, 2023 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Vegas to LA High-Speed Rail Project Inches Forward

Brightline West tentatively set to break ground in 2023

By Dolores Quintana

Brightline West, a proposed high speed rail project that would connect Las Vegas to the Los Angeles-area has announced a new date to break ground to build the project. 

A report from Forbes says that Brightline has set a tentative date to begin construction in 2023 on a 170 mile electrified railway line that would be built on leased land close to I-15. This high speed train would hit maximum speeds of 180 miles per hour and the entire trip would take about 90 minutes starting at the Apple Valley train station. Each train could carry 1,200 passengers and would leave every 45 minutes. Should construction begin in 2023, passenger services could begin in 2026, three years later. 

This is the third announcement of ground breaking for the project from Brightline’s developers. Previous dates were announced in 2020 and 2021 but were delayed because of the effects of the worldwide pandemic and a lack of interest from investors. 

There is a concurrent study being conducted to explore an additional spur that could be built to connect the Apple Valley to Las Vegas line to the city of Rancho Cucamonga. This would allow passengers from Los Angeles to take Metrolink commuter rail to and from Union Station in Los Angeles and make the service more convenient for Angelenos. Transportation officials are also investigating the possibility of a 63 mile connector between Brightline and the developing high speed rail project in the Antelope Valley which would allow Brightline to connect directly with Union Station.

Plans to build a high speed rail extension from the Antelope Valley to Union Station have progressed after state officials certified the last Environmental Impact Report on the 14 mile extension from Burbank to Downtown Los Angeles. The City of Burbank has objected to the extension with arguments that the positioning of the train’s track could disturb operations at Burbank Airport and affect the city’s drinking water supply. Officials have not yet certified any environmental studies on the proposed Palmdale to Burbank or Los Angeles to Anaheim high speed rail segments. However, Metro has anticipated certification and progression of these segments by putting new projects into motion to support the proposed construction.

Related Posts

Tesla-Powered Home on Market for Almost $13M

June 9, 2023

June 9, 2023

The Property Is Equipped With Smart Features and a Two-Car Garage By Zach Armstrong Designed by architect Ken Unger, a...

(Video) Shongee, One Of The Vendors At Made With PRIDE Marketplace

June 9, 2023

June 9, 2023

This interview took place at The Made with PRIDE Marketplace is located on level one in Center Plaza in Santa...

(Video) Pride Colors Light Up City Hall

June 9, 2023

June 9, 2023

Throughout the month, Santa Monica City Hall will be lit up with pride colors. @smmirrornews Pride colors are lighting up...

Pilot Unharmed After Plane Overturns at Santa Monica Airport

June 9, 2023

June 9, 2023

The Cessna Plane Overturned and Crashed During the Landing Process A pilot emerged unharmed after an airplane crash at Santa...

Film Review: Sanctuary

June 8, 2023

June 8, 2023

FILM REVIEWSANCTUARYRated R96 MinutesReleased May 19th In my humble estimation, this is one of the best movies of the year....

American Cinematheque Debuts First Los Angeles Abel Ferrara Retrospective

June 8, 2023

June 8, 2023

The Weeklong Series Will Have Live Scores, A Concert, and Q & A’s With Ferrara By Dolores Quintana The American...

Lottery Ticket Worth $240K Sold in Santa Monica Store

June 8, 2023

June 8, 2023

The Ticket Matched Five Numbers From Wednesday Night’s Drawing A Powerball ticket worth $239,862 has been sold at M&A Tobacco,...

(Video) Ribbon Cutting At The Grand Opening of Made With PRIDE Marketplace

June 8, 2023

June 8, 2023

Mayor Gleam Davis, Santa Monica City Council member Phil Brock, and Laura Barnehama, Co-Founder of Streetlet.The Made with PRIDE Marketplace...

The Michelin Guide Announces New California Restaurants Added To The Guide

June 8, 2023

June 8, 2023

Westside Restaurants Are On The List; Designations Will Be Announced on July 18 By Dolores Quintana The MICHELIN Guide is...

Loulou Hosting “Pardon My French! Brunch” This Sunday

June 8, 2023

June 8, 2023

The Event Will Feature DJs and Live Performances With a Special Buffet By Zach Armstrong The “Pardon My French! Brunch”...

Gelson’s to Celebrate Ice Cream With “Mango Split” Events in Palisades and Santa Monica

June 7, 2023

June 7, 2023

The Mango Split and the Mango Milkshake Were Created for This Occasion Gelson’s Markets announced the introduction of Gelson’s Ice...

Hard Kombucha Restaurant to Celebrate 5th Anniversary Party

June 7, 2023

June 7, 2023

The Event Includes Live Performances by Vinyl DJs Juneshine Santa Monica is inviting locals to celebrate its 5th anniversary party....

(Video) Made With PRIDE Marketplace Intro By Laura Barnehama, Co-Founder of Streetlet

June 7, 2023

June 7, 2023

The Made with PRIDE Marketplace is located on level one in Center Plaza in Santa Monica Place which is located...

(Video) Salvation Army Hands Out Donuts to Celebrate 130 Years

June 7, 2023

June 7, 2023

As part of National Donut Day, the Salvation Army gave out donuts in downtown Santa Monica. @smmirrornews Salvation Army celebrates...

SMC Fashion Show Comes Back After Three Years

June 6, 2023

June 6, 2023

The Event Will Showcase Each Designer’s Creative Vision By Zach Armstrong The Santa Monica College Fashion Program is bringing back...