FrontRunner 2X moves closer to $1.3B federal grant
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State transportation officials are one step closer to receiving $1.3 billion in federal funding that would allow FrontRunner to run more frequently — including on Sundays.
Why it matters: The funding would double-track 11 sections of the commuter rail line, enabling FrontRunner to run every 15 to 30 minutes, instead of every 30 minutes to one hour.
- The commuter train does not currently run Sundays, which has been a major source of frustration for riders.
Driving the news: The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) approved the FrontRunner 2X project last week, advancing it to the engineering phase of its Capital Investment Grants program.
Yes, but: The FTA had not signed "a single new agreement under the program" since President Trump began his second term, the New York Times reported in late July, leaving major transit projects awaiting federal funding, including FrontRunner 2X, which was slated to begin construction this year.
What they're saying: "This milestone is a major step forward for Utah," state transportation department commissioner Carlos Braceras said in a statement last week. "Utah is growing quickly, and preparing for that growth requires a balanced transportation system that goes beyond highways."
The big picture: There's urgency among state leaders to finish the project ahead of the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
- The funding would also install a station in Bluffdale, and add 10 trainsets. The railway line spans 83 miles from Ogden to Provo.
- The project's total estimated cost is about $2.3 billion as state leaders seek other funding options.
By the numbers: Since FrontRunner launched in 2008, Utah's population has grown by more than 700,000 residents.
- The state's population is expected to double by 2060.
What's next: Construction is expected to begin next year, with state leaders eyeing completion by 2030, depending on the federal grant process.