Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) joined President Joe Biden in Las Vegas today to celebrate the announcement of $3 billion she helped secure for Nevada to build a high-speed rail system between Las Vegas and Southern California. The Brightline West project is estimated to create 35,000 good-paying union jobs, bolster Southern Nevada’s tourism economy, and reduce congestion along the Interstate-15 corridor.
“In Southern Nevada, the Brightline West project will help drive our whole economy, including our tourism and hospitality industries, while reducing our carbon footprint, cutting down on traffic, and creating 35,000 union jobs” said Senator Cortez Masto. “That is why I fought for the funding for this project in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This project will support thousands of working families and make it easier for locals and tourists alike to enjoy all Las Vegas has to offer.”
The Brightline West project could eliminate an estimated 3 million cars from I-15 annually, reducing over 400,000 tons of carbon emissions each year while creating 35,000 good-paying union jobs. Both organized labor and the economic development community support this project.
Through her Innovation State Initiative, Senator Cortez Masto has been working to boost Nevada’s economy and create good-paying jobs. She introduced comprehensive legislation to develop innovative transportation solutions for Nevadans and promote cleaner transportation. She successfully pushed to include many of these measures in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Package to solve transportation challenges, expand clean transportation options, make traveling to school safer for students, and make important upgrades like bringing high-speed rail in Nevada.
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