LAS VEGAS - In a significant development, Democratic Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen announced on Tuesday that a long-planned project to establish a high-speed railway connecting Las Vegas and Southern California has secured $3 billion in funding. The financing, which is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, marks a major step towards realizing the decades-old vision of a high-speed rail network in the region.

Sen. Rosen emphasized the multiple benefits of the project in a news release, acknowledging that it would enhance tourism, generate 35,000 well-paying jobs, alleviate traffic on Interstate-15, and notably reduce carbon emissions by over 400,000 tons annually.

The high-speed railway project, known as "Brightline West," has encountered numerous setbacks over the years. However, with the recent injection of $3 billion in funding, the realization of the ambitious rail network appears closer than ever.

Sen. Rosen expressed her enthusiasm for the project, stating, "This historic high-speed rail project will be a game changer for Nevada's tourism economy and transportation. It'll bring more visitors to our state, reduce traffic on the I-15, create thousands of good paying jobs, and decrease carbon emissions, all while relying on local union labor."

The proposed "Brightline West" track will feature stations in Rancho Cucamonga and Victor Valley. Earlier this year, the future of the project was contingent on a $3.75 billion federal grant, which the Nevada Department of Transportation applied for in April.

Sen. Rosen mentioned that she believes the new rail line will be operational before the 2028 Olympics, which will be held in Los Angeles.

Wes Edens, founder and chairman of Brightline, expressed gratitude for the trust placed in the project by President Biden, Secretary Buttigieg, Sen. Rosen, and others. He remarked, "This is a historic moment that will serve as a foundation for a new industry, and a remarkable project that will serve as the blueprint for how we can repeat this model throughout the country. We're ready to get to work to bring our vision of American-made, American-built, world-class, state-of-the-art high-speed train travel to America."

Bill Hornbuckle, president and CEO of MGM Resorts International, also weighed in on the progress of the high-speed rail project, stating, "This is a huge win for Las Vegas, our economy, and the travel and tourism industry. High-speed rail between Southern California and Las Vegas will play an important role in overall efforts to improve travel along the resort corridor."

With the $3 billion funding infusion, the construction of the 218-mile high-speed railway linking Las Vegas and Southern California takes a significant step forward, bringing the region one step closer to a more connected and sustainable transportation future.