FAQs & Resources

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, formerly FrontRunner Strategic Double Track, will increase ridership capacity, support sustainable growth, and increase the availability of cleaner, accessible travel choices and connections for you and your family.

Most of the FrontRunner line is a single track, which means in many sections, trains must wait or slow down to allow trains traveling in the opposite direction to pass. Additionally, any disruption of service can result in cascading delays and failures throughout the line. Double tracking adds a parallel track in strategic locations to allow two-way travel without waiting or slowing down.

Currently, 26% of the 82-mile corridor is double tracked. Once the project is completed, the total amount of double track will be 58%. Double tracking will be added in the following 11 areas:

• North of Clearfield
• North of Woods Cross
• Beck Yard
• South of Salt Lake
• South of Murray
• South of Draper
• North of Lehi
• North of American Fork
• North of Vineyard
• North of Orem
• North of Provo

Segment 1 Segment 2 Segment 3 Segment 4 Segment 5 Segment 6 Segment 7 Segment 8 Segment 9 Segment 10 Segment 11 Segment 12

The new FrontRunner station will be located in Bluffdale City, on the south end of the Draper double track segment. The specific location for the potential new station has been determined by anticipated growth within this area. 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.

Construction is expected to begin as early as 2026 and will be substantially complete in 2029. This schedule is dependent on federal grants.

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 lasts a year or more. 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 this site.

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.

As part of the engineering design process, we are conducting geological site investigations at specific locations. These explorations involve taking underground samples to examine the geologic composition of the area which will help inform the design.

As part of data collection to support design, we are conducting nondestructive geophysical testing at select locations along the project alignment. This testing will allow us to measure the material properties of the Earth’s subsurface to support design of project features.

The FrontRunner project will give you more choices to decide when you want to travel along the Wasatch Front. You'll be able to catch a train every 15 minutes southbound from Salt Lake Central during morning commute times and northbound from Provo during evening commute times, and every 30 minutes the rest of the day.

This project will also improve how trains navigate the corridor, saving up to six minutes on some trips compared to today. To operate these extra trips, UTA and UDOT will purchase new trains with updated interiors and amenities to provide a comfortable, reliable ride.

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, events and more. This project will allow UTA to run a train toward North Temple and Salt Lake Central stations every 15 minutes during both the morning and evening high-ridership periods. This means less time waiting for a train to and from the places you and your family need to go, and more flexibility in scheduling your plans.

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 has completed 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.

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. 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.

You can sign up to receive project information and updates through the following methods:

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