Plans for a $4 billion high-speed rail project linking Las Vegas and southern California have been delayed after Virgin Trains USA failed to secure tax abatements during the current Nevada legislative session. 

Bob O’Malley of Virgin Trains told the Las Vegas Review-Journal Thursday that not getting those abatements may delay the start of planned construction for at least two years. 

He said those abatements were a critical part of the package financing the project, and that representatives for Virgin Trains will seek the tax exemptions again during the 2021 legislative session.