California revealed an ambitious plan to connect the Brightline West high-speed rail, set to link Las Vegas and Los Angeles, with a proposed bullet train to San Francisco.
California unveiled a bold new vision on Monday to link the privately funded Brightline West high-speed rail line, which will connect Las Vegas to Los Angeles, with a future bullet train to San Francisco.
Possible Mojave Desert Route Via Future High Desert Corridor
The proposed route would run through the Mojave Desert via a yet-to-be-built High Desert Corridor.
The catch, however, is that California’s long-delayed high-speed rail project between LA and San Francisco still has no clear completion date, making this vision a distant possibility.
Governor Gavin Newsom marked progress on the California High-Speed Rail (CAHSR) project by hammering a ceremonial spike into the ground in Kern County.
This first segment, which would cover 22 miles in the Central Valley, is aimed at reducing ground travel time between LA and San Francisco from six or seven hours to just three, provided the project comes to life.
Newsom also announced plans to include a stop in Palmdale, which would serve as the connection point for a new High Desert Corridor line.
This proposed line would stretch 54 miles east to meet Brightline West. For travelers, this link could mean faster journeys.
Namely, they would benefit from quicker San Francisco to Vegas trips via Palmdale or a faster route from downtown LA to Brightline’s hub by bypassing slower commuter options like light rail from Rancho Cucamonga.
“This Isn’t Just About a Train”
“This isn’t just about a train,” Newsom said during the ceremony, adding “It’s about economic development, infrastructure, and creating a sense of place.”
Still, the road ahead is pretty far from being smooth. First introduced in 2008, the CAHSR project has been plagued by delays, political resistance, and expanding costs.
Originally priced at $33 billion, the project’s estimated cost has now soared to $128 billion, including the proposed High Desert Corridor.
The political climate has only made matters worse. With Republicans now controlling Congress, opposition has intensified.
On the same day as Newsom’s announcement, Rep. Kevin Kiley introduced a bill to cut federal funding for the project.
“California’s high-speed rail project has failed because of political incompetence, and there is no plausible scenario where the cost to federal or state taxpayers can be justified,” Kiley said in a statement.
Despite the setbacks, officials are still hopeful. The San Francisco Chronicle noted that linking these three rail systems could maximize the value of existing infrastructure.
Whether this vision becomes reality, however, remains to be seen.
