High Speed Passenger Train (DesertXpress) Extending from Victorville, California to Las Vegas, Nevada

High Speed Passenger Train (DesertXpress) Extending from Victorville, California to Las Vegas, Nevada

DesertXpress Enterprises, LLC (the project Applicant) proposes to construct and operate a privately financed interstate high-speed passenger train, with a proposed station in Victorville, California and a station in Las Vegas, Nevada, along a 200-mile corridor, within or adjacent to the I-15 freeway for about 170 miles and adjacent to existing railroad lines for about 30 miles. The need for the project is directly related to the rapid increase in travel demand between Southern California and Las Vegas, coupled with the growth in population in the areas surrounding Victorville, Barstow, Primm and Las Vegas, which has resulted in substantial congestion along the I-15 freeway between Victorville and Las Vegas. Ridership is estimated to be 4.1 million round trips in the first full year of service. To accommodate this level of ridership, trains would operate from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm daily, 365 days per year at 20 to 30 minute intervals during peak periods. The project would involve construction of a fully grade-separated dedicated double track passenger-only railroad along an approximately 200-mile corridor, from Victorville, California to Las Vegas, Nevada. Where the railroad alignment would be in within the I-15 corridor, continuous concrete truck barriers, as well as American Railway Engineering and Maintenance of Way Association crash barriers at all supporting columns of bridges at freeway interchanges and overpasses would be provided. The project would include the construction of a passenger station in Las Vegas. The proposed Victorville Station would be located along the west side of I-15 between the two existing Stoddard Wells interchanges. The facilities directly associated with the Victorville station would occupy about 60 acres of land, and would have a parking capacity for up to 10,000 automobiles. Access to the Victorville station would be via the two existing Stoddard Wells Road Interchanges. The Maintenance, Storage and Operations facility is proposed to be located in the City of Victorville on a site that lies within the Victorville Valley Economic Development Area. The facility would require approximately 50 acres, and would include a fueling station, train washing facility, repair shop, parts storage and operations center. It is estimated that approximately 400 employees would be based at this facility. The Las Vegas passenger station would be located at one of three possible locations: 1) near the south end of the Las Vegas Strip; 2) in the center section of the Strip; or 3) in downtown Las Vegas. A light maintenance, cleaning, and inspection facility would also be built near the Las Vegas station.

Victorville

San Bernardino

Air Resources Board, Transportation Projects, Cal Fire, California Department of Parks and Recreation, California Department of Transportation, District 8 (DOT), California Energy Commission, California Highway Patrol, California Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC), California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), California State Lands Commission (SLC), Department of Water Resources, Office of Emergency Services, California, Office of Historic Preservation, Resources Agency, Department of Fish and Wildlife, Region 6, California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lahontan Victorville Region 6 (RWQCB)

Department of Fish and Wildlife, Region 6, California Regional Water Quality Control Board, Lahontan Victorville Region 6 (RWQCB)

Transportation:Rail (Approximately 200 mi. corridor)

Aesthetics, Agriculture and Forestry Resources, Air Quality, Biological Resources, Cultural Resources, Geology/Soils, Hazards & Hazardous Materials, Hydrology/Water Quality, Land Use/Planning, Mineral Resources, Population/Housing, Public Services, Transportation, Utilities, Energy