Brightline’s high-speed train from Apple Valley to Las Vegas is back on track for a spring start, according to a recent filing with the Nevada High-Speed Rail Authority. “The project is on target to commence construction in early Q2 2021,” said Brightline West President Sarah Watterson in the filing. The entire line from Las Vegas to Apple Valley is expected to take three years to complete.
On Jan. 15, during a California debt committee meeting, the state agreed to extend $200 million in tax-exempt private bonds to finance the project through Fortress Investment Group.
“Brightline is an important infrastructure project that has significant economic and environmental benefits for our residents,” California Treasure Fiona Ma said in a statement. “The company expects that its financing plans will require less tax-exempt debt. We look forward to a successful financing later this year.”
Brightline West’s ultimate goal is to continue the track from Apple Valley into Palmdale and Rancho Cucamonga, ultimately connecting with Union Station in Los Angeles.
In late December 2020, the Palmdale City Council approved plans for its multimodal transportation hub that would connect Brightline West with Metrolink, Amtrak, California’s High Speed Rail and other transit options.
“We appreciate the tremendous support from Nevada and California and are actively engaging officials in both states on our financing and construction plans,” Brightline spokesperson Ben Porritt said in a statement.