OGDEN, UT — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s (USDOT) Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announces that Utah’s FrontRunner 2X Commuter Rail Line project has reached a critical phase of FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program. Now in the engineering phase, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and the Utah Transit Authority will be able to begin investing in engineering activities, demolition and utility relocation, property acquisition, and other non-construction costs, including procurement of specialized equipment and materials.
FTA is committing $1.28 billion to the FrontRunner 2X project. Once complete, this multi-billion-dollar project will increase the availability, frequency, and capacity of commuter trains by at least 60 percent along the 82-mile FrontRunner rail that services 16 stations from Ogden to Provo, Utah.
“This project is the latest example of how the Trump administration is committed to delivering real support for real infrastructure that improves the lives of real Americans,” FTA Acting Deputy Administrator Matthew Cahill said. "As one of the fastest growing areas in the country, meeting this milestone demonstrates how Utah leadership cares about its citizens by investing in transit that will serve the region for generations to come.”
"The FrontRunner Double Tracking Project is a transformative investment in Utah's future,” Utah Senator John Curtis said. “This advancement brings us one step closer to delivering more frequent, reliable rail service for Utah families, and better prepares our state and economy to welcome the world for the 2034 Winter Olympics.”
"This milestone is a major step forward for Utah," UDOT Commissioner Carlos Braceras said. "We are grateful to the U.S. Department of Transportation and Utah’s congressional delegation for their partnership and shared commitment to Utah’s future. Utah is growing quickly, and the demands of growth require a balanced transportation system that offers more travel options. 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.”
The CIG program is a multi-step, multi-year funding opportunity to help communities carry out transit projects nationwide. Once all financial, technical, and legal requirements are completed, FTA’s anticipated CIG funding commitment to the FrontRunner 2X project will be $1.28 billion, subject to the annual appropriation of funds by Congress.
Funding 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.
