From Central Valley Business Times: Feds may gamble on bullet train to Vegas. From LA Times: New rail corridor between L.A. and Las Vegas could doom maglev project. Two pivotal issues remain: a) Bullet Train vs. Mag Lev. Bullet-train technology is more affordable and has a proven track record in Europe and Asia. b) To place CA terminus in a) Victorsville or Anaheim. It would seem to make the most sense to connect this route with California's high-speed rail system to allow for greater ridership.

New format: One entry-Two articles

Link: Central Valley Business Times

Feds may gamble on bullet train to Vegas

LAS VEGAS, NEV.
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July 3, 2009 1:02am

• Would extend California system

• ‘Will reduce congestion on I-15’

The states of California and Nevada have agreed to extend the California bullet train corridor from the Los Angeles area to Las Vegas.

“The extension of the California corridor is another great example of regional cooperation, which will be critical to transforming travel in America and the creation of a national system of high-speed rail lines,” says U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood.

“We believe that the development of regional high-speed passenger rail systems will create jobs, spur economic development, and provide positive environmental benefits for all Americans,” he says.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., says constructing a route for the 200-mph trains will boost his state’s economy.

“High-speed rail not only provides a much needed means of transportation that will reduce congestion on I-15, but it will create jobs at a time when Nevada needs them the most, increase tourism and reduce our reliance on foreign oil,” says Mr. Reid.
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Link: New rail corridor between L.A. and Las Vegas could doom maglev project - Los Angeles Times

New rail corridor between L.A. and Las Vegas could doom maglev project
Corridor along I-15 draws support from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who says he will try to move funds from the maglev project to a new, European-style train system.

By Ashley Powers and Dan Weikel

July 3, 2009

Reporting from Los Angeles and Las Vegas -- A potential corridor for passenger trains between Las Vegas and the Los Angeles area has become part of a federal initiative to modernize the nation's rail networks and develop high-speed service between cities.

Thursday's announcement, however, might doom a 30-year-old proposal to build a high-tech magnetic levitation, or "maglev," train from Anaheim to Las Vegas if Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) gets his way.

Reid, who no longer supports the maglev project, said during an event to publicize the rail corridor that he would try to scuttle $45 million in federal funds earmarked for the proposal. The maglev project and a conventional rail line proposed by a private venture are trying to develop separate high speed passenger trains that would parallel oft-congested Interstate 15. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced Thursday that a swath of land along much of I-15 has been declared a federal high-speed rail corridor -- one of 11 such zones in the U.S. Projects proposed in those corridors are eligible for federal assistance, grants and loans.

Federal officials say the development of a successful high speed rail system between Southern California and Nevada would dramatically reduce delays and traffic accidents on I-15.

"For transportation, it's the most important thing that's happened to Nevada since Interstate 15," said Reid, who likened the federal high speed rail program to President Eisenhower's effort in the 1950s to develop the interstate highway system.

Last month, the Nevada senator withdrew his support for the maglev project in favor of a plan by DesertXPress Enterprises to build a European-style high speed train that relies on conventional technology. The 150 mph system would run about 200 miles from Victorville to Las Vegas and cost about $3.5-$4 billion to build.

The maglev project would extend 270 miles and cost an estimated $12 billion. Maglev technology relies on electricity and magnetic force to propel trains on a cushion of air at speeds up to 300 mph.

"I've studied maglev enough," said Reid, who added that the DesertXPress is closer to breaking ground. "We're past the planning stage. We've got to move on and start construction."

Proponents of the maglev proposal said it was unlikely that Reid would be able to persuade Congress to reverse its decision to provide funding.

"We are relying on the law and how it reads. We believe that nothing will change," said Neil Cummings, president of the American Magline Group, a consortium of private companies involved in the project.

ashley.powers@latimes.com

dan.weikel@latimes.com