FAQs

FrontRunner is a commuter train service that spans an 83-mile corridor connecting cities and communities along the Wasatch Front. The line currently serves 16 stations across Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, and Utah counties.

Continued population and economic growth along the Wasatch Front demands more capacity from the region's commuter rail system. The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) and the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) plan to meet this demand by adding double tracking, trains and a new station to the FrontRunner system. FrontRunner 2X will increase ridership capacity, support sustainable growth, and increase the availability of cleaner, accessible travel choices and connections for you and your family.

Double tracking adds a parallel track in strategic locations to allow two-way travel without waiting or slowing down. Check out this video to learn more about strategic double tracking: https://youtu.be/PJWIGLulbLU

Check out the Project Improvements page to learn more about the 11 double track sections.

The new FrontRunner station will be located in Bluffdale City, on the south end of the Draper double track segment. The new station will support long-term growth and improve regional mobility. While alternative locations were determined, this location was chosen as the best option to serve anticipated growth in the region.

Projections show the most growth in Utah located in south Salt Lake and north Utah counties. Additionally, this station will support a wider transit infrastructure that will connect Salt Lake County and Utah County and employment centers.

After evaluating potential sites, the station location was selected to improve regional mobility and support long-term growth in the Point of the Mountain area. It is adjacent to The Point, which is planned as a transit-oriented community. Alternative sites faced challenges such as limited development potential, difficult access for transit riders and conflicts with other planned infrastructure projects.

Construction is expected to begin as early as late 2026 and will be substantially complete in 2029. This schedule is dependent on federal grants. Click here to sign up for the project newsletter to stay updated on construction timeline, project milestones, traffic impacts, and more.

There are several reasons for the length of this project, including:

• Along the 83-mile project corridor there are many communities, elected officials, and large institutions like federal agencies and the Union Pacific Railroad that have an interest or relevant jurisdiction. The project works closely with all of these stakeholders to understand and address their needs, concerns, and requirements.
• There are laws and regulations with required approval processes tied to the project's funding and permissions. These processes have several stages, and each stage requires a minimum of one year to complete. The project works as efficiently as possible to minimize the duration of these steps.
• The construction process includes excavating and unearthing of utilities, geologic risks, and other material, resulting in challenges to engineering to ensure new tracks are safe and secure. The project must build in time and contingency to account for such factors that become apparent only after construction begins.

The project is in the early stages of developing a construction schedule. Once complete, the schedule will appear on this web site. The project will send updates on this process to those who sign up for the project mailing list at the Contact page on the Stay Engaged tab.

Visit rideuta.com for information about any delays or disruptions to FrontRunner service.

Each project has a phase known as the engineering design process. This is a series of steps to create structures and infrastructure that meet the needs of a specific project. The process involves analyzing data from the environmental phase, mapping land details, and assessing many other factors such as geotechnical, geophysical and utility investigation data to understand existing conditions and structural requirements.

The Wasatch Front is the fastest growing region in Utah. By 2050, the population along the Wasatch Front is expected to increase by 43%,from 2.55 million residents (2022) to 3.65 million residents. FrontRunner is at 90% capacity during peak times and peak direction,with limited room to add more riders. As riders seek an alternative to I-15 congestion, they turn to FrontRunner as a reliable travel alternative for work, events, and family gatherings. With the completion of FrontRunner 2X project, travel times on FrontRunner will be 17% faster than the same trip on I-15 by 2050.

Today, you and your family can get a ride on FrontRunner every 30 minutes during high-ridership periods to get to and from home, work, school, medical appointments, sporting events and more. This project will allow UTA to run trains every 15 minutes during both the morning and evening commuter hours and every 30 min during non-peak hours, doubling the frequency. This means more flexibility, less time waiting and a stress-free travel. Just show up to a station and a train will be there shortly.

Yes. FrontRunner will still operate during construction and service hours will not change. The project's goal is to minimize impacts to passengers. UTA will provide bus bridges or other connections as needed.

Visit rideuta.com for updates about any delays or disruptions to FrontRunner service.

Vehicular traffic may not be greatly impacted by the project except where the rail line intersects roads. Some rail bridges will need to be modified for the double-tracking which could cause some delay. You can receive information about traffic delays by following the project @UDOTTRAFFIC and @RideUTA on X (formerly known as Twitter), Threads, or by signing up for email and text updates by submitting the form at: https://frontrunner2x.utah.gov/connect

This project is completing an environmental process for each of the sections. Each section was evaluated as a categorical exclusion as per the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) guidelines, to ensure all environmental impacts are considered and minimized during the design phase of a project.

As part of the engineering design process, the project team identifies any specific properties that will be affected. Once the design is finalized, the project team initiates a process to notify and coordinate with any specific property owners or entities.

No. This project has no anticipated impact on fares.

To provide increased service, the project will purchase 10 new trains to expand the fleet and meet growing transit demands along the Wasatch Front. The process to determine the type of trains to purchase is underway. New trains will be selected based on several factors to comply with UTA's future operation vision. These factors include, but are not limited to, fuel efficiency, platform compatibility, and cost. The final design of the trains has yet to be determined. All trains will be ADA compliant and include passenger comforts such as restrooms and Wi-Fi connections.

Ten new trains will be procured for this project. Each one must be built and pass inspections before approved for use upon completion of construction.

You can sign up to receive project information and updates by visiting the Stay Engaged page or through the following methods:

Email: FrontRunner2X@utah.gov
Phone: 888-882-0373
X (formerly known as Twitter): @rideUTA, @UtahDOT

The project team has conducted a noise analysis for each of the new double tracking sections to assess potential noise impacts. If the analysis finds that an area adjacent to the train tracks, such as a residence, hospital, library, church, etc. is moderately or severely impacted by a change in noise levels from the project (based on specific criteria), mitigation measures will be considered. Please refer to UTA's noise impact process by reading the UTA Noise Policy Fact Sheet

An overview of UTA's noise policy, including info on how a project may qualify for noise mitigation, can be found on the UTA Noise Policy Fact Sheet

There are certain requirements that must be met for a new project to qualify for a noise wall. Mitigation efforts, including noise walls, must also be reasonable and feasible. Please refer to UTA’s noise impact process found on the UTA Noise Policy Fact Sheet.

• The established quiet zone will remain in effect during the construction period as long as safety requirements at crossings are maintained.
• During construction activities along the corridor, train operators are required to sound their horns near work zones or whenever workers or equipment are visible near the tracks. This is a federally mandated safety protocol designed to protect people and equipment to ensure clear communication in active work zones. While we aim to stage equipment in ways that minimize the need for horn sounding, it’s not always possible. Sounding a train horn is permitted for safety, regardless of whether a quiet zone is in effect.

Most train-induced vibrations are below levels that cause structural damage, but residents may still feel or hear them. Generally, train vibration is not strong enough to cause damage, but older buildings may be more susceptible. Click here for more info on UTA’s vibration policy.