Brightline West's Las Vegas-to-California high-speed rail line stalls as it waits on a $6 billion federal loan

What happened

Progress on Brightline West's planned high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and Southern California has largely stopped while the company waits on federal financing, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. The project is now estimated at $20.1 billion, and its backers still describe it as close to full construction.

The planned 218-mile line would run in the Interstate 15 right-of-way between Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga, California, with stations along the route. Riders could reach downtown Los Angeles through Southern California's Metrolink system, according to the Review-Journal.

Why the project is on hold

A pending federal loan

The main obstacle is a delayed decision by the Federal Railroad Administration on a $6 billion loan the project needs to move forward. Brightline West applied in September 2025 through the Rail Road Rehabilitation and Improvement Financing credit assistance program. The Review-Journal reported that the FRA is working with Brightline to gather the information needed to review creditworthiness.

Rising costs and a slipping timeline

When the project won a $3 billion FRA grant in December 2023, it was estimated to cost $12 billion. That figure grew to $20.1 billion in 2025, which managing director Michael Reininger attributed to rising construction costs. Early hopes of opening for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics are gone, and the Review-Journal reported the earliest completion is now late 2029, with that date growing less likely the longer the loan decision takes.

Quiet at the Las Vegas station site

A ceremonial groundbreaking took place at the planned Las Vegas station site in April 2024. Crews later started a parking garage, box culvert and sewer line work there, but the garage remains unfinished and workers have not been seen on the site in months, according to the Review-Journal.

How the money is structured

Besides the federal grant, the project sold $2.5 billion in private activity bonds from Nevada and California. Teri Williams, spokesperson for Nevada's Department of Business and Industry, said the states passed the bonds to Brightline at no financial risk. "There are no penalties due to the State of Nevada if the project is not completed," Williams said in an email.

The rest of the funding would come mainly from private equity and debt, according to Brightline West. Separately, Brightline's Florida passenger rail filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last month to restructure $2.5 billion in debt, but spokesman Antonio Castelan said that has no bearing on Brightline West because the two operate as separate entities.

Work that continues and leadership changes

Siemens Mobility has been building trainsets in Germany, and the first two car bodies are complete, according to a July update to the Nevada High-Speed Rail Authority. A Siemens facility in Horseheads, New York, where other trainsets will be assembled, is set to open by the end of the year. Castelan said the company is focused on finalizing financing and could deliver the system in approximately four years.

Brightline West President Sarah Watterson stepped down in August but remains an interim project adviser. Adrian Share is serving as interim president, and Reininger is leading the project and responsible for its delivery.

Local and state support

Gov. Joe Lombardo said in a statement, "This project has the potential to deliver real economic benefits to our state, and we remain supportive of efforts to move it forward." A spokesperson for California Gov. Gavin Newsom also expressed support for interstate rail connections.

Clark County Commission Chairman Michael Naft, whose district includes the Las Vegas station, noted support from both the Biden and Trump administrations. "So much of the hard work is done, and so I encourage all stakeholders to finish the financing package," he told the Review-Journal. Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority CEO Steve Hill said the line could ease I-15 traffic, adding, "It would be a shame to see it not happen." More regional project coverage is in our development section.

What to watch next

• The Federal Railroad Administration's pending decision on Brightline West's $6 billion loan application.
• Whether Brightline West finalizes the financing it says is needed to begin full-scale construction.
• The scheduled opening of the Siemens trainset assembly facility in Horseheads, New York, by the end of the year.
• Whether the project can still meet its earliest possible completion date of late 2029.