LOS ANGELES – An American company is teaming up with a consortium led by China’s national railroad to develop a high-speed rail link between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, it was reported Friday.
For decades private developers and entrepreneurs have periodically announced plans to run high-speed trains between the two cities, but those plans went nowhere because of a lack of money or other setbacks, the Los Angeles Times reported.
But executives at XpressWest, which has been unable to secure adequate private investors in the United States or a $5.5 billion federal loan, said Thursday they had formed a partnership with China Railway International USA, a consortium led by China Railway, China’s national railroad, The Times reported.
Details about the joint venture, the proposed project and its financing were not immediately released, although China Railway International stated it would provide initial capital of $100 million.
Project officials say they are confident construction could begin as early as September 2016, The Times reported.
XpressWest, a private company formerly called DesertXpress, has been talking about its high-speed rail project since at least 2007, according to The Times. Plans have called for a 185-mile route that would run adjacent to heavily traveled Interstate 15 from Las Vegas to Victorville, 85 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles.
Chinese officials now describe the project as a 230-mile route with an additional stop in Palmdale and eventual service throughout the Los Angeles area using some of the same track that would be used by the publicly backed California high-speed rail project, The Times reported.
Federal railroad records indicate that XpressWest has already secured approvals and permits from a number of federal agencies for the 185-mile route.
Additional permits, approvals and environmental analysis would be needed for the 230-mile proposal.
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Previous related story: High Speed Train Summit coming to Palmdale Jan. 28
mate says
I cant believe its ok to build a high speed train when we cant even ride dirtbikes here because of some frog or turtle …yet its ok to make your railroad track over lake una…look at the accident records of slower trains never mind 200mph..your take over bid of peoples homes reminds me of union Pacific railroad and american indians .bet the chinese are happy …
William says
@mate
Now that the High Speed Rail is going to be built, maybe you can spend your energy howling at the wind to stop blowing.
Tim Scott says
Don’t get ahead of yourself. The airport is going to be built any time now…just like it was when I was in junior high. Until the track is laid and a train runs on it high speed rail is just a potential, not a fact. We must keep pushing.
William says
From the June 16, 2015 Fresno Bee
“Work crews are building the first of 16 concrete footings that will become the foundation of a 1,600-foot viaduct, or elevated bridge, over the Fresno River, Highway 145 and Raymond Road. The construction “is the first visual that people can start seeing us building up,” said Diana Gomez, Central Valley regional director for the California High-Speed Rail Authority.
The work is part of the authority’s first construction segment in the state, a 29-mile stretch from the northeast edge of Madera to the south end of Fresno.
Read more here: http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/high-speed-rail/article24647566.html#storylink=cpy”
I had thought I heard that some type of construction has already begun in the San Joaquin Valley section, so I Googled.
Thank God for Google or I wouldn’t know what the Kardasians were doing lately.
Of course, nobody in Acton should ever be allowed to ride it when it’s completed. They should put a tattoo on people that oppose it so they can’t ever use it.
I’m sure there are folks in Acton or other places that have flown out of Burbank or LAX and didn’t mind the noise over other people’s homes during takeoffs and landings.
Too bad Santa Clarita won’t be getting a station. I think of that whenever I have to drive by a million new condos stacked up on both sides of the 14 near Newhall that dump thousands of cars onto the freeway everyday. People commuting on the HSR from the AV will simply fly past them stuck in future traffic tie ups.
Tim Scott says
We are a loooooong way from Madeira. Keep pushing.
I predict we will have HSR access LA to Vegas before it connects to the bay area.
William says
The point was they’ve started construction.
We didn’t land on the moon the next day after JFK declared that intention.
They built the Panama Canal a hundred years ago, so I think the High Speed Rail is doable even if it will take longer to do because everything takes longer to do nowadays.
But, I’ll bet the High Speed Rail is completed long before the blvd finally succeeds as the grand destination as it was promoted.
I think the pyramids were built in less time than it took to widen the 14 a while back or the 405.
Joe says
anyone know who the “private developers and entrepreneurs” are behind this waste of money train
to Las Vegas? Details, transparency of this project?$5.5 billion federal loan? Who is involved? Jim Gilley? I heard he lives in Las Vegas now? Frank Visco? T. Rex? Tom Shepos? Who REALLY is behind this? Who gets the contracts? David Schaeffer? Joint venture? Who? NO TRANSPARENCY IN THE AV!?
Tim Scott says
XpressWest appears to have no ties to the Fern Street Mafia. Looks like their primary interests are development in Las Vegas. I’d guess they would consider our little acorn of corruption to be beneath their notice.
JoeNeeds says
Joe needs some reading comprehension skills.
Private investors were not able to get it done.
This is a Chinese, as in folks from China, backed project. They own a lot of Vegas, they are starting to own our ports, and soon they will own the trains.
Yeppers 12...3 says
They should look at casino sponsored cars that would have their theme and a offer drinks and such for advertising what casino to stay at advertisements…. You pick what car your sitting in by what each car has to offer….. Offset costs from casinos and advertise to get people into their casino at the same time.
CAP'N LANCASTER says
Ole Rex is agin it. That makes me lean for it. Ole Rex calls it a boondoggle. Well, Ole Rex outta know since he done force the biggest boondoggle I done see with his piece of crap Eye in the Sky. I’s still for the fast train and I’s agin the piece of crap Eye in the Sky.
Tim Scott says
The plan is to run it through Palmdale, so Rexburgh is left out anyway. Of course even a station in Palmdale would benefit Lancaster, but Imperious Rex represents the long line of “cut our nose to spite our face” leaders in Lancaster.
When the mall was built in Palmdale after a bitter contest with Lancaster, the developer was willing (in fact somewhat eager) to widen 10th St West all the way to Avenue K, but Lancaster’s city government didn’t want to make it any easier for their citizens to shop at the mall so they refused the permits.
William says
I’m surprised rex (wrecks) doesn’t want to build a wall a la Trump to keep his ‘peoples’ in and not driving to Palmdale to shop, eat and see civilization in the 21st century.
Last year, he said that 70% of the shopping done at the AV Mall was from Lancaster residents with a big grin on his face. Now, tell me this. Was he bragging or complaining?
He doesn’t know if he’s coming or going, does he? Imagine what it’s like being r. rex parris. You gots lots of $$$$s but nobody likes you and you can’t even buy love like you can votes. Everything you do as mayor turns to, well, you know.
You watch as your sworn enemy, the Mayor of an adjacent city, has one success after another and is loved and appreciated by its residents. You are so green with envy that you let the hair grow on your face to hide it.
The guy you invite to your city has to drop out of the presidential race. You musta given him the ‘kiss of death’ or something.
This is so much fun watching rex circling the drain and he brought it all on himself. Oh, he’ll likely win re-election and can still be in office when the blvd finally closes down for good.
Lori says
Really?! More money to China to beat up our desert even more, break up the ecology, raise the temperature in California even more so less rain, tear out people’s land right out from under them, tear down schools and churches, ruin natural habitat for animals, for what? It says UP TO 200mph, not that it will go that fast, and what about all the stops in-between? And then you have to rent a car when you get there or take a taxi everywhere.
People that this will affect in a bad way moved away from the lousy big cities to have peace and quiet. I vow never to take this train. People will be losing their homes!!!
Tim Scott says
Rent a car or take a taxi everywhere? Have you never BEEN to Vegas? Many visitors to Las Vegas never even leave the building. I usually don’t. And I cannot recall the last time I was in Vegas and my car moved from the spot I parked it in when I arrived before I got in it to leave.
As to the rest of your arguments, where is this “tearing of land out from under them” and such supposed to be happening? I’m guessing you are speaking for the “Acton Obstructionists United,” or whatever that bunch actually calls themselves, which is to say that I think you are just groundlessly fearmongering, but have you got some specifics?
Greg says
Part of the discussions regarding the cross valley transit corridor did address that some landowners would be losing part of their properties. Fair market value pricing of course unless a fight was put up, then it would be imminent domain time with fair market minus legal fees.
I just wonder about all the anti-Chinese talk. Have people not looked at manufacturing points in a very long time? If a person shops Wal-Mart, Target, really most large chains then many of the goods come from China.
iPhones and iPads, Chinese. Many electronics come from Chinese manufacturers. Hard to get away from the Chinese connection.
William says
I guess this ‘Lori’ has never used a freeway since they pave over either virgin land or peoples’ private property through eminent domain.
I bet she drives by other peoples’ houses that are close to busy roads and freeways and makes noise for them.
She is so special.
Vernita says
Yes, there will be jobs for the AV! There will also be opportunities available for local businesses who are 8A, MBE, WBE, VBE (Minority, Women, Veteran) CERTIFIED contracting opportunities. If you are not certified you won’t be able to work on these projects. They will have to bring in out of area contractors to fulfill the roles that AV businesses can’t. Don’t let that happen.
If you are or know of a business that wants to be certified you may contact the AV African American Chamber @ 661-272-5807 for assistance through the process. We are the only Chamber to offer this hands on assistance. Our is available to answer any questions you may have and these services are available to the entire communities of the AV.
Vernita
Chairwoman
AV African American Chamber of Commerce
t. BELL says
What a SCAM!
Jason says
There will be out of town contractors regardless, especially the general contractor. The only one big enough to handle this type of work is Granite and they arent a guarantee to get the job.
pirrurris says
Vermita, just to clarify……the only ones that have to be 8a,mbe,wbe,vbe, etc….are the owners of the company. Anyone else (a regular civilian) can work for these companies and maybe even get paid the prevailing wage. You know, the wage that constrution workers, working at Ewards, get.
Johnny Trece says
This will be very convenient for tourist who don’t want to drive or take an airplane there. Who needs a vehicle in Las Vegas, right? Not me.
Yes_Yes says
Anyone know if this development will result in jobs here in Palmdale? I would think so as a home base for building some of the system, but that’s just a guess.
Tom says
NFL football team and the High speed train should get to LA about the same time.
soapbox superman says
YES…sounds wonderful…