LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The vice president of Virgin Trains USA says the rail project from Las Vegas to Southern California is on track to begin construction next year.
"The economy here in Clark County is booming. A lot of people want to be here. There's a lot of excitement going on and now is the right time to make this project happen," said Bob O'Malley speaking to Clark County Commissioners on Tuesday.
Several updates on the project were shared at the Clark County Commissioners meeting.
"This is a $2 billion investment into Southern Nevada's economy," said District A Commissioner Michael Naft. "This is 13,500 hardworking men and women who are going to touch this soil and work on this project."
The rail line will stretch 170 miles to Victorville, Calif., and all trains will be electric and run every 45 minutes.
The company hopes to expand service to Palmdale and eventually downtown Los Angeles.
The goal is to begin operating the trains in 2023.
Virgin Trains USA estimates the train will remove more than 4 million cars from the I-15 corridor every year once it is complete.
