Sen. Harry Reid and Ray LaHood to talk rail in Las Vegas

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will make an announcement about the proposed high-speed rail between Las Vegas and California Friday, Reid's office said.

LaHood has been traveling the country this week to talk up rail projects supported by President Obama as opposition to them mounts in the Republican-controlled House. The plans have run into opposition even in the Democratic Senate.

LaHood was in Hawaii and Portland, Ore., earlier this week. Friday, he and Reid will hold a press conference in Las Vegas to talk about the proposed DesertXpress railway, which would run between Las Vegas and an area near Los Angeles.

The route is intended to relieve traffic on Interstate 15, which connects the two sprawling cities.

As planned, the railway would come within 40 miles of a proposed California high-speed rail connecting L.A. and the San Francisco bay area. A future extension is planned to connect the two lines.

Reid's office did not say what Friday's announcement was. The senator has said in the past that the train would create 34,000 jobs in Nevada.

LaHood and Reid will appear at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) at 11 a.m. PST.