So thatβs where our tax dollars have been going.
Brightline West High-Speed Rail Project (Rancho Cucamonga, CA to Las Vegas, NV)
The project youβre referring to is Brightline West, a privately led, 218-mile high-speed rail line (with trains up to ~200 mph) running mostly in the median of Interstate 15. It will connect Rancho Cucamonga (with Metrolink connections to greater Los Angeles) to Las Vegas, with intermediate stops in Apple Valley/Hesperia and Victor Valley. A ceremonial groundbreaking occurred in April 2024, but full heavy construction is still ramping up.
How much rail has actually been laid?
Zero miles of track have been laid as of November 19, 2025.
Construction is in the preliminary/preparatory phase: geotechnical borings, utility potholing, surveying, grading preparation, and early site work (e.g., Las Vegas station foundation and a concrete tie production facility in North Las Vegas).
Main civil works (embankments, drainage, bridges) are accelerating through late 2025β2026.
Heavy construction and track laying are scheduled to begin in early 2026 (concrete ties expected to ship starting late 2025).
No sources indicate any actual rail installation yet; the project remains in earthwork and foundation stages.
How much has been spent to date?
Exact expenditure figures are not publicly broken out in detail, but:
The total project cost has risen to approximately $21β21.5 billion (up from earlier estimates of $12β16 billion due to inflation, labor, and materials).
Major funding secured so far includes a $3 billion federal grant (signed in 2024) and authority for $3.5β5.5 billion in tax-exempt Private Activity Bonds (some issued/closed in 2025).
Spending to date has primarily covered land/right-of-way acquisition, environmental clearances, design/engineering, preliminary field investigations, and early station/site work. Brightline is also seeking a $6 billion federal RRIF loan to cover cost overruns.
Precise βspent to dateβ numbers are not disclosed publicly, but the project has consumed hundreds of millions (at minimum) on pre-construction activities since the 2024 groundbreaking.
Main contractors and partners
Brightline West is structured as design-build segments with multiple partners:
Trainsets: Siemens Mobility (American Pioneer 220 trainsets, built in the U.S., plus 30-year maintenance contract).
Geotechnical engineering/design: Atlas Technical Consultants.
Design/engineering support: HNTB.
Environmental compliance: Rincon Consultants.
Concrete ties: PCM Railone (dedicated facility in North Las Vegas).
Other key partners: High-Speed Rail Labor Coalition (union labor agreements), Southern Nevada/California Building Trades, and potential segment contractors like Las Vegas Paving Corp. (mentioned for certain grading/utility work).
Brightline has awarded ~4β5 of 9 major construction packages as of late 2025, with the rest in final negotiations.
Source of funds
Primarily a public-private partnership with heavy private involvement:
Federal government: $3 billion direct grant (Bipartisan Infrastructure Law via FRA/NDOT); up to $3.5β5.5 billion in tax-exempt Private Activity Bonds (PABs) allocation; potential $6 billion low-interest RRIF loan application pending.
Private capital: Equity from Fortress Investment Group (Brightlineβs parent), debt financing, and project revenue bonds.
No major state general funds mentioned; earlier plans for California/Nevada bonds were largely replaced by federal PABs.
The mix is roughly ~25β30% federal grants/bonds so far, with the rest private/debt (exact ratios shift with the ongoing loan request).
The project aims for service by ~2028β2029 (delayed from earlier targets tied to the 2028 LA Olympics). Progress is visible at the Las Vegas station site, but the bulk of the 218-mile corridor remains untouched beyond surveys and prep work. For the latest official updates, check brightlinewest.com or USDOT/FRA announcements.