Brightline appoints Nicolas Petrovic as chief executive, replacing Michael Reininger, who becomes managing director and board member of Brightline West to oversee the Las Vegas to Southern California high-speed project.

Petrovic, based in Miami, will lead Brightline’s Florida operations with a background from European and Middle Eastern rail sectors, emphasizing long-term value and growth.

Reininger transitions to managing director and board member to spearhead the Brightline West initiative, a $21 billion high-speed rail link connecting Las Vegas to Southern California.

The project’s total cost has risen, with about $4 billion in reserve funds contributing to a roughly $5 billion variance from earlier estimates, and funding now relies on a $4 billion federal infrastructure loan plus private investment.

Brightline West is pitched as one of the largest private infrastructure investments in U.S. history, featuring a 218-mile all-electric route with speeds up to 200 mph and stations in Las Vegas, Apple Valley, Hesperia, and Rancho Cucamonga.

The cost increase is attributed to higher prices for steel, cement, labor, and engineering, with data center construction and power infrastructure cited as key factors by leadership.

Construction activity includes lane changes on Las Vegas Boulevard for the Las Vegas station amid ongoing field investigations in Nevada and California.

Despite criticism that the route bypasses central Los Angeles, Brightline argues LA–Vegas demand remains strong due to proximity to multiple potential stations.

Brightline emphasizes a private intercity rail model with a hospitality-centric experience, continuing construction for Brightline West to compete with driving or flying.

A Las Vegas groundbreaking occurred in 2024 with officials in attendance, and the project has progressed to active station construction and field investigations.

The plan envisions trains exceeding 200 mph, with Siemens supplying new rail cars, and there is consideration of expanding the Florida line toward Tampa.

Bruce Snyder has been promoted to chief financial officer of Brightline West.