This infrastructure is receiving a big boost from the federal government: $3 billion in aid allocated by Joe Biden’s administration, according to the Associated Press. The trains, all electric and emission-free, will be able to reach a top speed of 200 mph (around 320 km/h).
Major economic and environmental benefits
The economic and environmental impacts of this project are at the heart of the discussions. Pete Buttigieg, Secretary of Transportation, stressed during a press conference the importance of this initiative: it will “ remove around 400,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year from the atmosphere, boost tourism and generate 35,000 well-paid jobs “. He added that this project would serve as a model for other fast and environmentally friendly rail connections in the United States.
Officials hope the train line will ease congestion on I-15, where drivers are often stuck in traffic jams for several miles when returning to Southern California after a weekend in Las Vegas. According to data from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, on average, more than 44,000 automobiles crossed the California-Nevada border on I-15 each day last year.
Brightline plans to make the line a pillar of U.S. intercity connectivity, facilitating travel between cities too close to justify flying but too far away for a drive. This project could become the catalyst for a railway revival in the United States, often considered lagging behind in this area compared to Europe or Asia.
The Brightline company is not limited to this project. It already operates a rail line between Miami and Orlando in Florida, and its managers have national ambitions. The new line also includes stations in San Bernardino County and a rail connection to downtown Los Angeles.
The history of high-speed rail in the United States has been punctuated by numerous unsuccessful projects and broken promises, as shown by the example of the Californian high-speed train project between Los Angeles and San Francisco, which has been in difficulty ever since. 2008.
However, Brightline officials and government officials say all necessary environmental and land approvals have been obtained for the new line, reinforcing hopes that it will eventually happen. Wes Edens, founder and chairman of the company, said: “ When we look back, we will say that it was the birth of a high-speed train industry ».
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