Utah's big 2034 Winter Olympics transit expansion

[Paniolo Man]

I figure I'll post about this here.

With the countdown to 2034 underway there are quite a few transit projects in the works in Utah, and the pressure is on to get as much done before the games as possible.

Frontrunner Forward and Frontrunner 2X:

Frontrunner Forward is a larger plan to completely overhaul the Frontrunner commuter rail system. It lays out the path to extensions north and south, increased frequency, grade-separation, and electrification.

Frontrunner 2X is "Phase 0" of Frontrunner Forward, it is funded and is scheduled to break ground next year. This project will increase double track from 25% to 49% allowing for train frequency to double from 30 minutes to 15 minutes.

Spoiler: Frontrunner Forward Phasing

Spoiler: Frontrunner Forward Map

TRAX Techlink:

Techlink will create a new TRAX line from the Salt Lake City airport to the University of Utah, a journey that currently requires a transfer downtown. This line could run 24/7 due to it being unobstructed by nightly freight track rights on the southern portions of the existing TRAX network. Techlink would also create new right of way through downtown along 400 W to realign the existing Red Line and decongest the current line through downtown.

New TRAX vehicles will be ordered to replace the SD100 and SD160 fleet that currently run on the Blue Line, additional vehicles will be ordered to operare the Techlink "Orange Line". A contract award should be announced within a week.

Spoiler: Techlink Map

Point of the Mountain Light Rail:

With new development at "The Point" in Draper, UDOT plans to snub UTA's Point BRT and build light rail instead.

Other Potential Projects:

Rio Grande Plan: The Rio Grande Plan has been officially endorsed by the Salt Lake County Council and has caught the eye of the state legislature.

Statewide regional rail: UDOT missed the last opportunity for Corridor ID grants, but intends to reapply when the next round of applications opens. At the same time, the Utah Rail Passengers Association is making it's own push for statewide rail.

New Amtrak LD routes: The FRA's Long-Distance study recommends 2 new routes service Utah.

 

[Paniolo Man]

As the first of two planned Frontrunner extensions moves forward, UTA and UDOT are in negotiations to buy the Intermountain Power Project's Railcar Service Facility in Springville which will be converted into a new Frontrunner light maintenance facility. This facility is currently used to maintain coal cars for LADWP's Intermountain Power Plant, which will be switching to a new natural gas plant next year.

 

[turtlypo]

Love the high quality post. Thanks for always updating us with Utah happenings.

 

[Metra Electric Rider]

Is there still a plan for rail west to Tooele or that general area?

I have to chuckle that the rail agency/service is also the name of a gay running themed novel....

 

[Paniolo Man]

Is there still a plan for rail west to Tooele or that general area?

I have to chuckle that the rail agency/service is also the name of a gay running themed novel....

Fixed transit of some sort. UTA had decided to use BRT right before the state pretty much took away their planning abilities, so UDOT may pivot back to rail if we are lucky. It is definitely a ways out, likely post-Olympics, but still very much included in regional plans.

 

[Anderson]

I figure I'll post about this here.

With the countdown to 2034 underway there are quite a few transit projects in the works in Utah, and the pressure is on to get as much done before the games as possible.

Frontrunner Forward and Frontrunner 2X:

Frontrunner Forward is a larger plan to completely overhaul the Frontrunner commuter rail system. It lays out the path to extensions north and south, increased frequency, grade-separation, and electrification.

Frontrunner 2X is "Phase 0" of Frontrunner Forward, it is funded and is scheduled to break ground next year. This project will increase double track from 25% to 49% allowing for train frequency to double from 30 minutes to 15 minutes.

Spoiler: Frontrunner Forward Phasing

View attachment 37701

Spoiler: Frontrunner Forward Map

View attachment 37702

TRAX Techlink:

Techlink will create a new TRAX line from the Salt Lake City airport to the University of Utah, a journey that currently requires a transfer downtown. This line could run 24/7 due to it being unobstructed by nightly freight track rights on the southern portions of the existing TRAX network. Techlink would also create new right of way through downtown along 400 W to realign the existing Red Line and decongest the current line through downtown.

New TRAX vehicles will be ordered to replace the SD100 and SD160 fleet that currently run on the Blue Line, additional vehicles will be ordered to operare the Techlink "Orange Line". A contract award should be announced within a week.

Spoiler: Techlink Map

View attachment 37703

Point of the Mountain Light Rail:

With new development at "The Point" in Draper, UDOT plans to snub UTA's Point BRT and build light rail instead.

Other Potential Projects:

Rio Grande Plan: The Rio Grande Plan has been officially endorsed by the Salt Lake County Council and has caught the eye of the state legislature.

Statewide regional rail: UDOT missed the last opportunity for Corridor ID grants, but intends to reapply when the next round of applications opens. At the same time, the Utah Rail Passengers Association is making it's own push for statewide rail.

New Amtrak LD routes: The FRA's Long-Distance study recommends 2 new routes service Utah.

I hate to be overly critical, but I'm curious as to whether the 90 MPH sections are then bumped to 110 MPH in the later phase, and if so why they don't just try to pull the band-aid off in terms of alignment and so on?

Also, I tried to click the link on the Rio Grande Plan and the page requires a login.

 

[Paniolo Man]

UTA has selected Stadler to supply Low-Floor light rail vehicles which will replace their high-floor SD100 and SD160 vehicles.

I hate to be overly critical, but I'm curious as to whether the 90 MPH sections are then bumped to 110 MPH in the later phase, and if so why they don't just try to pull the band-aid off in terms of alignment and so on?

Also, I tried to click the link on the Rio Grande Plan and the page requires a login.

Apologies, here is the correct link.

 

[Paniolo Man]

First pictures of Stadler CityLink light rail vehicles to replace all high-floor units in use on the TRAX Light Rail Network.

 

[Paniolo Man]

Lots of dirt moving and machinery at work for the Stadler Factory expansion. This project will double the working space at the facility and likely be immediately followed by another large expansion. Note the fresh carshells in the middle of it all, they will be built into new metro trainsets for MARTA.

 

[Paniolo Man]

Park City is considering Light Rail for transit expansion.

 

[Anthony V]

Utah should push for the restoration of the Pioneer and Desert Wind routes in time for the 2034 Olympics. This would be great opportunity to revive these long-dormant routes with a bang in ridership due to the thousands of people from all over the world who are used to train travel coming into SLC for the games.