THE US Surface Transportation Board (STB) has authorised the construction and operation of a modified alignment of the planned high-speed line linking Victorville, California, and Las Vegas, Nevada, proposed by Brightline West, subject to environmental mitigation measures.
The modifications include relocating the rail alignment on certain sections from the east side of the I-15 highway to the median strip; revising the design of Apple Valley station to include the platforms in the median of the I-15 freeway; and raising and moving east a portion of the existing I-15 northbound lanes to provide the necessary footprint and access for the platforms.
The STB says the modified alignment will lessen or avoid several potential environmental impacts by placing much of the new line in the I-15 median. “The merits of a high-speed rail passenger line connecting Las Vegas and Southern California are substantial,” the STB says. “Moreover, providing a rail alternative along the I-15 corridor would not only create a transportation benefit for passengers; it would also create environmental benefits in replacing highway vehicle traffic, and its associated emissions, with more environmentally-friendly rail travel.”
The STB also authorised DesertXpress Enterprises (trading as Brightline West) to construct and operate approximately 80km of new railway from Victorville to Rancho Cucamonga, on the Los Angeles - Bakersfield line, subject to environmental mitigation conditions.
The extension will be entirely within the I-15 right-of-way except for the final 1.5km at Rancho Cucamonga, which will exit the I-15 right-of-way, proceed west along 8th Street, and terminate adjacent to Los Angeles commuter operator Metrolink’s Rancho Cucamonga station.
The new line will be built on a dedicated, fully grade-separated right-of-way without level crossings. The single-track line with passing loops will be dedicated exclusively to high-speed trains. The current plan is to operate 25 trains in each direction between Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga every day. Trains will depart from both Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga at 45-minute intervals and will operate at up to 290km/h.
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