FTA 09-06
Friday, June 16,2006
Contact: Name: Paul Griffo
Tel.: 202-841-7563
U.S. Transportation Secretary Mineta Announces $489 Million Full Funding Grant
Agreement for “FrontRunner” Weber County-to-Salt Lake City Commuter Rail Project
Salt Lake City area commuters got a big boost today as U.S. Secretary of
Transportation Norman Y. Mineta sealed an agreement with the Utah Transit
Authority for $489 million in federal funding for the “FrontRunner” Weber
County-to-Salt Lake City Commuter Rail line.
The money will be used to build the new 44 mile commuter rail line that is
expected to carry almost 12,000 weekday passengers taking nearly 6,000 cars off
the roads everyday Mineta said during a visit to the Farmington Station
construction site this afternoon.
“Because it runs parallel to I-15, this rail line offers a common-sense solution
to highway congestion to and from Salt Lake City,” Mineta said. “And taking more
cars off the road during rush hours will help keep people and products moving
through Salt Lake City safely and on time, no matter which path they choose.”
The Full Funding Grant Agreement represents the federal government’s commitment
to provide funding for the project, Mineta said. The funds will be allocated
over a seven year period from 2006 through 2012.
It allows construction to continue on the new commuter rail line, which will
provide service from Pleasant View to the existing Salt Lake City Intermodal
Terminal in downtown Salt Lake City, with stops in Salt Lake, Weber and Davis
counties.
The line’s downtown terminal will provide commuter rail passengers a direct
connection for commuter rail, light rail, and passenger rail with UTA buses and
Greyhound intercity bus service. Feeder buses will provide transportation from
the terminal to local business and residential areas.
The grant, the largest award given to the state for a single project, will allow
more workers to get to Salt Lake City’s booming businesses, Mineta said.
UTA plans to begin operating the line in November 2008, with service at
20-minute intervals during peak periods and every 40 minutes during off-peak
periods. At startup, it will serve 6,100 people a day, and up to 12,500 people
daily by 2025.
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Briefing Room
