U.S. Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV) announced Tuesday the Nevada Department of Transportation will receive $3 billion a high-speed rail system connecting Las Vegas and southern California.
Part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act, the funding will support the construction of Brightline West, the first true high-speed rail system in America that will run along the congested Interstate 15 corridor. Officials said it is estimated to generate more than $10 billion in economic activity, as well as create more than 35,000 construction jobs. The project is expected to reduce more than 400,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually.
“As far back as 2001, I’ve been advocating to bring a true high-speed rail system to Southern Nevada, and I am thrilled that this funding will allow Brightline West and the Nevada Department of Transportation to do just that,” Titus said. “This project will help bring in hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue and create thousands of good-paying, union jobs. We’ll be creating jobs, reducing emissions, alleviating traffic, and setting an unprecedented example for the possibilities of high-speed rail in our country.”
The project is supported by the High-Speed Rail Labor Coalition, which includes the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen, International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Mechanical and Engineering Department, National Conference of Firemen and Oilers 32BJ/SEIU, Transportation Communications Union, International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Brotherhood of Railway Carmen, International Brotherhood of Boilermakers, Transport Workers Union of America, American Train Dispatchers Association, International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers-Transportation Department, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, and International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
“The High-Speed Rail Labor Coalition is proud to be in partnership with Brightline West in this historic project. Americans want high-speed rail, and Brightline West and the High-Speed Rail Labor Coalition will deliver. Brightline West will be the most elegant travel by rail experience you can have in America, and it will be the catalyst for America’s renaissance of travel by high-speed rail. The High-Speed Rail Labor Coalition is ready to bring this transformative transportation project to Americans. Let’s get to work,” the Coalition said in a statement.