Brightline West has been approved for a $3bn federal grant for its $12bn Las Vegas-to-Los Angeles high-speed rail system project, according to a local report in the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
President Joe Biden is expected to make the official announcement for the grant in Vegas later this week, the local report said.
Brightline Founder and Chairman Wes Edens released an official statement, calling the award “a historic moment.”
He commented, “We’re honored and humbled in the confidence President Biden, (Transportation) Secretary (Pete) Buttigieg, Sen. (Jacky) Rosen and so many others have placed in Brightline’s vision to bring true high-speed rail to America.
“This is a historic moment that will serve as a foundation for a new industry, and a remarkable project that will serve as the blueprint for how we can repeat this model throughout the country. We’re ready to get to work to bring our vision of American made, American built, world class, state-of-the-art high speed train travel to America.”
MGM Resorts International President and CEO Bill Hornbuckle described gaining the grant to local news as “a huge win” for the City of Las Vegas due to the potential boost it can provide for the local economy and for tourism.
He elaborated further in a statement to the Review-Journal by saying, “High-speed rail between Southern California and Las Vegas will play an important role in overall efforts to improve travel along the resort corridor.
“This project will not only help alleviate bottlenecks and delays along I-15, but also open Las Vegas to an even wider group of visitors looking to enjoy all we have to offer.”
