Surface Transportation Board to permit high-speed rail project that will create more than 32,000 Nevada jobs

October 26, 2011

Washington, D.C. — Nevada Senator Harry Reid today applauded the decision by the Department of Transportation’s bipartisan Surface Transportation Board (STB) to grant an exemption for DesertXpress to build and operate a 190-mile high-speed rail line between Las Vegas and Southern California that could create more than 32,000 Nevada jobs. 

“I’m pleased that the DesertXpress project is getting the green light to proceed, which will not only put tens of thousands of Nevadans to work but ultimately bring more tourists to boost Nevada's economy,” Reid said.  “I look forward to Nevadans being back on the job and more visitors from California choosing Las Vegas because of this high-speed rail option.”

The STB decision says DesertXpress must meet environmental conditions and build the route in a way that causes minimal harm to the environment.  Attached is the full text of the STB’s decision.

BACKGROUND

•         In July, the Department of Transportation issued its Record of Decision (ROD) for the DesertXpress Project, which was the final step of the Environmental Impact Statement process and allowed work to move forward on the project.

•         A UNLV Report states that the DesertXpress Project would produce an estimated 17,469 primary jobs and 16,432 secondary jobs in Clark County over three years by 2013.

•         The DesertXpress Project will connect Las Vegas to Victorville in Southern California, and later the California high-speed rail system.

•         Twenty-six percent of all visitors to Las Vegas come from Southern California.

•         The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce supports DesertXpress because it will bring more tourists to southern Nevada and boost Nevada’s economy.
 

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