AASHTO Journal - FTA Touts Support for Utah’s FrontRunner 2X Project

The Federal Transit Administration recently highlighted its fiscal support for Utah’s FrontRunner 2X Commuter Rail Line project, which has now entered the engineering phase.

[Above photo by Utah DOT]

The FTA is committing $1.28 billion via its Capital Investment Grants program to the FrontRunner 2X project which, once complete, will increase the availability, frequency, and capacity of commuter train service by at least 60 percent along the 82-mile FrontRunner rail system; a system made up of 16 stations stretching from the City of Ogden, located roughly 40 miles north of Salt Lake City, to the City of Provo, located roughly 45 miles south of Salt Lake City.

That funding – subject to annual Congressional appropriations to FTA – will support 11 segments of double-tracking, one realigned segment, a new infill station with 325 parking spaces, 10 new diesel multiple unit train sets, a new vehicle maintenance facility, and signal upgrades.

The Utah Department of Transportation and the Utah Transit Authority are jointly overseeing the FrontRunner 2X project and, with the FTA’s grant funding in hand, can now begin investing in engineering activities, demolition and utility relocation, property acquisition, and other non-construction costs – including procurement of specialized equipment and materials.

“As one of the fastest growing areas in the country, meeting this [engineering] milestone demonstrates how Utah leadership cares about its citizens by investing in transit that will serve the region for generations to come,” Matthew Cahill, FTA’s acting deputy administrator, in a statement.

“This milestone is a major step forward for Utah,” added Carlos Braceras, Utah DOT executive director, in a separate statement.

“Utah is growing quickly, and the demands of growth require a balanced transportation system that offers more travel options,” he added. “Expanding double tracking through FrontRunner 2X will allow trains to run more often and more reliably, making FrontRunner a practical travel choice for more Utahns.”