The Cucamonga Station is celebrated as rail gateway

Brightline West, which will have a depot in Rancho Cucamonga, received $3 billion in federal funding for high-speed train from Socal to Las Vegas

With full funding for high-speed rail connecting Rancho Cucamonga to Las Vegas secured, Inland Empire leaders gathered Monday to celebrate on the steps of Cucamonga Station, the multimodal hub that will serve as the rail project’s gateway to Southern California.

“This is where it is going to end and everyone will be coming into Rancho Cucamonga as it should be, and everyone will see the richness of Rancho Cucamonga as they come,” Assemblymember Eloise Gómez Reyes said.

On Friday, President Joe Biden announced $3 billion in funding for the 218mile, high-speed, all electric rail project by Brightline West. The $12 billion rail system will run along the 15 Freeway corridor between Las Vegas and Rancho Cucamonga and is funded through federal, state and other sources.

Officials from throughout San Bernardino County gathered to celebrate the funding on Monday, hailing the project for the connections it will create in the Inland Empire and sharing their hopes for Cucamonga Station.

“It will be a focal point of travel throughout the southwest United States and with Ontario International Airport throughout the world,” said Elisa Cox, assistant city manager for Rancho Cucamonga. The station is an opportunity for connectivity between the Inland Empire and the rest of the world, she added.

Brightline West plans to build the station for the high-speed rail on 5 acres of land it bought from the city and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority. The station will connect to the existing Metrolink platforms and Omnitrans bus loop.

Cox said construction on Cucamonga Station is expected to begin within the next two years and will cost roughly $200 million.

The Brightline rail is expected to be in operation in time for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

PHOTOS BY WILL LESTER — STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Assemblymember Eloise Reyes speaks about the high speed rail line to Las Vegas from Rancho Cucamonga along with other future transportation options planned for the station during a press conference at the Cucamonga Station in Rancho Cucamonga on Monday.

BELOW: Julie Grau, with Greater Ontario California, speaks about the high speed rail line. The $12billion project high speed rail project is scheduled for completion in time for the 2028Olympics.

ABOVE: An artist’s rendering of the proposed Brightline West passenger facility at the Cucamonga Station for the Rancho Cucamonga to Las Vegas high speed rail line.