Rep. Chu & Rancho Cucamonga Mayor Celebrate Monumental $3 Billion Federal Investment in High-Speed Rail Service Connecting California and Nevada
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Biden-Harris Administration formally announced$8.2 billion through the Federal Railroad Administration’s Federal-State Partnership for Intercity Passenger Rail Program, including up to $3 billion in grants allocated to Brightline West High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail System Project. Funded through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law passed in November 2021, these investments will assist with the construction of a $12 billion high-speed rail connection, the first of its kind in the country, between Southern California and Las Vegas.
“I am thrilled the Biden-Harris Administration is making this strategic investment in a high-speed railway between Las Vegas and Southern California that promises to increase transportation options, spur job creation, support economic development and business opportunities, and reduce greenhouse emissions,” said Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28).“Los Angeles will soon host the Olympics, and Brightline West’s completion by 2028 would not only ease travel for the millions who will visit our region then, it will also elevate our 21st century connectivity on the global stage. I eagerly look forward to the permanent positive economic, transportation, and environmental changes the railway will provide for the San Gabriel Valley, especially in and around its last stop in Rancho Cucamonga.”
In September 2023, Rep. Chu wrote a letter to Department of Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg urging him to issue these grants to the Nevada Department of Transportation. Brightline West projects that their initiative will lead to the annual removal of 3 million vehicles from Interstate-15, which would decrease carbon emissions by over 400,000 tons each year, while also generating 35,000 high-quality, unionized employment opportunities.
“In the pursuit of true high-speed rail service, this stellar achievement underscores the power of innovative vision and unwavering determination within public-private partnerships. As Mayor and on behalf of the entire City Council of City of Rancho Cucamonga, we are thrilled to witness the realization of this transformative project that connects our dynamic regions thanks to the leadership of Congresswoman Chu and other federal partners,” said City of Rancho Cucamonga Mayor, L. Dennis Michael. “This strategic investment in cutting-edge infrastructure not only opens doors to jobs, economic growth, tourism, and commercial ventures but also enhances Southern California’s global connectivity. Cucamonga Station stands as a beacon in this transportation revolution, and we eagerly anticipate the boundless transformations it will bring to our vibrant region.”