LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Brightline has started major construction of its train station on South Las Vegas Boulevard just south of Warm Springs Road, causing temporary lane restrictions in the area.
The high-speed rail project aims to connect Las Vegas and Southern California by 2029. Clark County Commissioner Michael Naft said the restrictions, while temporary, represent progress for future I-15 relief.
“I really believe that this will ease some of that burden on the 15, ease some of the burden at the airport and provide one more solution for people,” Naft said.
Decades in the making
High-speed rail connections between Los Angeles and Las Vegas have been discussed for nearly 30 years. Previous projects like DesertXpress showed promise but faded away.
Naft said earlier projects failed because California viewed the rail line as a “gambler train to Las Vegas” without benefit to their state.
“That’s different now, we’re growing up,” Naft said.
I-15 traffic concerns
The I-15 freeway opened to traffic in 1966. Parts of the freeway between Las Vegas and Barstow have not been widened in 59 years, creating significant traffic delays.
Traffic backups sometimes exceed 50 miles on the California side of I-15 on Fridays, Sundays and holiday weekends. NDOT, Caltrans and the federal government believe Brightline’s success will help reduce California I-15 gridlock.
Naft said he expects the train to compete with air travel and driving for single travelers going to California.
Brightline has not announced pricing for the service. The project broke ground in April 2024, with train service expected to begin in 2029.
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