California-to-Vegas High-Speed Rail Costs Jump $5.5 Billion (2)

The price tag for building a private high-speed passenger railroad from Southern California to Las Vegas has swelled by nearly 35%.

Brightline West’s 218-mile (351 kilometer) railroad will now cost $21.5 billion, according to the US Department of Transportation’s website, which lists the company as a loan applicant. The initial projection was $16 billion. The higher cost has led the Fortress Investment Group-backed company to seek a $6 billion loan from the Trump administration, according to the site.

Last month, Brightline’s Chief Executive Officer Mike Reininger said construction costs were increasing due to rising labor and ...