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FRA gives environmental go-ahead for California segment of Brightline West
Hat tip, a listserv I'm on
FRA gives environmental go-ahead for California segment of Brightline West
By | July 20, 2023
Victorville-Rancho Cucamonga route ruled to have ‘no significant impact’
A rendering of a Brightline West high speed train. The FRA has provided environmental approval for Victorville-Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., segment of the planned route. Brightline West
WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration last week provided environmental clearance for a Southern California section of the proposed Brightline West high speed rail line to Las Vegas, Nev., moving the project closer to construction.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports the FRA determined there would be no significant environmental impacts for the 49-mile extension from Victorville to Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., which would mostly be built within the right-of-way of Interstate 15.
“The FRA’s Finding of No Significant Impact confirms the environmental benefits of the project extending into Greater Los Angeles at Rancho Cucamonga,” Sarah Watterson, president of Brightline West, said in a statement to the Review-Journal. “Having permits and right of way are typically the highest barriers to success for large scale infrastructure developments, and Brightline West’s tremendous progress here signifies why we are moving towards a ground-break later this year.”
Including the newly approved section, Brightline West would build a 218-mile line between Rancho Cucamonga and Las Vegas, with Metrolink service from an adjacent station in Rancho Cucamonga providing a rail connection to downtown L.A.
The project, estimated to cost $12 billion, at one time was set to begin construction in 2020, but delayed its financing efforts to await more favorable conditions in the bond market. A bipartisan group of legislators from Nevada and California have supported a Nevada bid for up to $3.75 billion in federal funding for the project [see “Nevada, California legislators back federal funding …,” Trains News Wire, April 25, 2023].
By | July 20, 2023
Victorville-Rancho Cucamonga route ruled to have ‘no significant impact’
A rendering of a Brightline West high speed train. The FRA has provided environmental approval for Victorville-Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., segment of the planned route. Brightline West
WASHINGTON — The Federal Railroad Administration last week provided environmental clearance for a Southern California section of the proposed Brightline West high speed rail line to Las Vegas, Nev., moving the project closer to construction.
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports the FRA determined there would be no significant environmental impacts for the 49-mile extension from Victorville to Rancho Cucamonga, Calif., which would mostly be built within the right-of-way of Interstate 15.
“The FRA’s Finding of No Significant Impact confirms the environmental benefits of the project extending into Greater Los Angeles at Rancho Cucamonga,” Sarah Watterson, president of Brightline West, said in a statement to the Review-Journal. “Having permits and right of way are typically the highest barriers to success for large scale infrastructure developments, and Brightline West’s tremendous progress here signifies why we are moving towards a ground-break later this year.”
Including the newly approved section, Brightline West would build a 218-mile line between Rancho Cucamonga and Las Vegas, with Metrolink service from an adjacent station in Rancho Cucamonga providing a rail connection to downtown L.A.
The project, estimated to cost $12 billion, at one time was set to begin construction in 2020, but delayed its financing efforts to await more favorable conditions in the bond market. A bipartisan group of legislators from Nevada and California have supported a Nevada bid for up to $3.75 billion in federal funding for the project [see “Nevada, California legislators back federal funding …,” Trains News Wire, April 25, 2023].
