"Federal Funding Boost: SoCal-to-Vegas High-Speed Rail Secures $2.5 Billion"

The U.S. Department of Transportation has approved $2.5 billion in bonds for the Brightline West High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail project, which will connect Southern California with Las Vegas. The 218-mile rail line will run along the Interstate 15 median, with trains capable of reaching 186 mph, cutting the travel time to Las Vegas in half. The $12 billion project is expected to create 35,000 jobs, reduce carbon pollution, and bolster tourism. The line is set to include stations in Las Vegas, Apple Valley, Hesperia, and Rancho Cucamonga, with plans to break ground in early 2024 and open by 2028.