VICTORVILLE – (INT) – The proposed XpressWest high-speed rail project connecting Victorville and Las Vegas may be getting back on track. It has been stalled for years.

It was formerly known as DesertXpress.

Brightline Trains, the nation’s only privately owned, operated and maintained express intercity passenger rail system, has agreed to buy XpressWest. The purchase price was not disclosed.

The 185-mile federally approved corridor across the desert parallels Interstate 15.

Under the agreement, Brightline will take over the development and operation of the project including the acquisition of 38 acres adjacent to the Las Vegas Strip for construction of a station with mixed-use development.

Brightline’s high speed train would make the Victorville-Las Vegas trip in less than two hours or about an hour less than on the I-15. It’s estimated that travelers make more than 50 million trips annually between Southern California and Las Vegas.

Brightline currently operates passenger rail service in Florida between Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach and is expanding to Orlando.

San Bernardino County Supervisor Robert Lovingood said the project will have economic benefits beyond just construction jobs in the High Desert.

Construction is expected to begin next year, with initial service to follow in 2022.

Story Date: September 26, 2018