The Brightline Thread

[Busy Bee]

I think you should give them the benefit of the doubt. These are serious people behind this project. I have no reason not to believe their explanation for this delay.

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by CHAPINM1

Translation: Will probably never happen. Anytime there is no firm construction date or any real solid committed plan or timeline, it's all glorified horse manure. Earlier this year they were saying how it would start second quarter, blah blah blah with no definite timeline or start date. Something didn't surprise me in the slightest when I saw this announcement. We are being strung along, nothing more. Which is huge shame since I really want to see the US develop high speed projects as seen in other parts of the world including here in Asia and in Europe rather than just keep talking about it and going absolutely nowhere literally.

Brightline is stalling for time because they have a good shot of getting billions from the Federal infrastructure bill.

When Trump was president they had to go it alone and were prepared to do so (those state bonds are a loan that needs to be paid back, after all). Now there's a chance Uncle Sam might kick in a few billion in free money, so why not wait?

[CHAPINM1]

Originally Posted by ardecila

Brightline is stalling for time because they have a good shot of getting billions from the Federal infrastructure bill.

When Trump was president they had to go it alone and were prepared to do so (those state bonds are a loan that needs to be paid back, after all). Now there's a chance Uncle Sam might kick in a few billion in free money, so why not wait?

I sure hope that's the case. Same could also be said for the line in Texas? Either way just hope to see some movement in the future.

[202_Cyclist]

Brightline West purchases land for Las Vegas train station

July 6, 2021

"LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — Brightline Holdings says it has achieved a significant milestone with the successful acquisition of a 110-acre parcel that will serve as the future home for Brightline West.

Brightline is developing Brightline West to connect Las Vegas to California. The land will be used for the Las Vegas Terminal and other mobility connections to take passengers to and from all key area destinations, according to a press release from Brightline..."

https://www.ktnv.com/news/brightline...-train-station

[Busy Bee]

While it's probably a little fussy to complain, IMO it's unfortunate they were not able to figure a way to get the station right on the Strip. While it's still very close, it will have the physical and psychological barrier of I-15 between it and the "destination" that is the LV Strip.

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

While it's probably a little fussy to complain, IMO it's unfortunate they were not able to figure a way to get the station right on the Strip. While it's still very close, it will have the physical and psychological barrier of I-15 between it and the "destination" that is the LV Strip.

Knowing Brightline and their MiamiCentral project, I imagine they will bring the "destination" to them. It's a huge parcel and they will probably bring in a resort developer to fill it up.

[Busy Bee]

^This is probably true, but you have to admit it would have been pretty cool to have a high speed railway terminal station right there on the Strip for everyone to see, to "sell" not just Brightline West, or WestXpress or whatever it will wind up being called (I'm all for Desert Wind since it's a defunct name) but rail and high speed rail travel in general in this country. Las Vegas is exactly the kind of place that if something is just one or two blocks off of the Strip, many visitors won't even know it exists.

[k1052]

My kingdom for a high capacity people mover under Las Vegas Blvd.

[BUBBA SPARXXX]

You'll get the stupid Musk tunnels and like them god dammit!

[ardecila]

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

^This is probably true, but you have to admit it would have been pretty cool to have a high speed railway terminal station right there on the Strip for everyone to see, to "sell" not just Brightline West, or WestXpress or whatever it will wind up being called (I'm all for Desert Wind since it's a defunct name) but rail and high speed rail travel in general in this country. Las Vegas is exactly the kind of place that if something is just one or two blocks off of the Strip, many visitors won't even know it exists.

I assume this is meant as a dig at the monorail, but it's not really true. Some of Vegas' biggest attractions are off the Strip. Penn & Teller at the Rio, the new Raiders stadium, etc.

It just happens that the monorail sits at the ass end of multiple big casinos which is a supremely unpleasant experience as a pedestrian in the Vegas heat.

[electricron]

Originally Posted by ardecila

It just happens that the monorail sits at the ass end of multiple big casinos which is a supremely unpleasant experience as a pedestrian in the Vegas heat.

So a stroll through the air conditioned casinos and shops between the Strip’s sidewalks and the monorail stations is too hot?
There is a reason why the casinos wanted the monorail stations at their back entrances, money!

[ardecila]

If you enjoy loading docks and parking garages, then the Las Vegas Monorail might be right up your alley!

[Busy Bee]

Originally Posted by ardecila

I assume this is meant as a dig at the monorail, but it's not really true. Some of Vegas' biggest attractions are off the Strip. Penn & Teller at the Rio, the new Raiders stadium, etc.

It just happens that the monorail sits at the ass end of multiple big casinos which is a supremely unpleasant experience as a pedestrian in the Vegas heat.

Actually, no. It was an honest mistake on my part because I've been relying on the FRA FEIS from 2011 instead of the current plans, which in terms of terminal location further south and further away from the core of the Strip that they just purchased the land for, is arguably worse.

[electricron]

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

Actually, no. It was an honest mistake on my part because I've been relying on the FRA FEIS from 2011 instead of the current plans, which in terms of terminal location further south and further away from the core of the Strip that they just purchased the land for, is arguably worse.

Per Google Earth tools:
LV Strip Tropicana to Warm Springs Road is 3 miles.
LV Strip Tropicana to West Airport Parking Garage is 2.4 miles.
LV Strip Tropicana to East Airport Parking Garage is 3 miles.

A half mile further away at the worse is not really going to make much of a difference, a half mile at 30 mph is just "1" minute longer. Whoopie!

After riding the train for 2 to 3 hours passengers will get upset over 1 extra minute, you must be kidding.
121/120 x 100 = +0.83%
181/180 x 100 = +0.55%

[Busy Bee]

What?

I'm not talking about concern over trip time, I'm talking about the proximity of the rail terminal to the actual attractions of Las Vegas and how that may translate to the trains' appeal.

[electricron]

Originally Posted by Busy Bee

What?

I'm not talking about concern over trip time, I'm talking about the proximity of the rail terminal to the actual attractions of Las Vegas and how that may translate to the trains' appeal.

It is as close to the casinos and hotels on the strip as the airport terminals. It will be closer to I-15 than the airport terminals too. What disadvantage?
Brightline also has picked the closest “green field” lot to the Strip as well. Anything closer would involve buying then tearing down existing buildings, casinos, and hotels, which will be more expensive than the empty lot they bought.

Governmental agencies may not be as cost consequence as private enterprise, but private enterprise always look at doing things as cheaply as possible if they are at all concerned about maximizing profits. Private enterprises not interested in maximizing profits usually go bankrupt or are bought out by those who do.

[202_Cyclist]

Brightline gets Central Florida Expressway Authority support for Tampa route


By Ryan Lynch
Orlando Business Journal
Jul 20, 2021

"The decision does not finalize a path for the route but does allow for additional negotiations..."

https://www.bizjournals.com/tampabay...mpa-route.html

[N830MH]

https://www.thenextmiami.com/new-ren...jPGpI3AfqJfdTI

Boca Ration Station just approved.

[bobdreamz]

Brightline Orlando International Airport Rail Construction - July 2021

• Video Link

[Randomguy34]

This popped up out of nowhere


https://twitter.com/GoBrightline/sta...11000590712837