Utah Rail Passengers Association

150 S State St Ste 100 Box 50

Salt Lake City UT 84111

Wednesday, November 23, 2022

The Honorable Pete Buttigieg

Secretary, US Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Ave SE
Washington DC 20590

RE: Federal Rail Administration Docket No. FRA-2022-0031 Expression of Interest

Dear Secretary Buttigieg:

The Utah Rail Passengers Association (Utah RPA)—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization—respectfully submits an
Expression of Interest (EOI) per FRA docket No. FRA-2022-0031 to the Federal Railroad Administration.

Support of Prior Expressions of Interest

The Utah RPA would like to express its support for the following previously made expressions of interest. The Salt Lake
City to Boise to Portland “Pioneer/Intermountain” Corridor: FRA-2022-0031-0031, FRA-2022-0031-0035, and FRA-2022-
0031-0043. The Salt Lake City to Las Vegas to Los Angeles “Desert Wind/High Desert” Corridor: FRA-2022-0031-0019,
FRA-2022-0031-0034, FRA-2022-0031-0037, and FRA-2022-0031-0043. The Chicago to St. Paul to Fargo to Bismarck
to Billings to Missoula to Spokane to Seattle “North Coast Hiawatha” Corridor: FRA-2022-0031-0035, FRA-2022-0031-
0066, and FRA-2022-0031-0067. The Pueblo to Colorado Springs to Denver to Boulder to Longmont to Cheyenne
“Front Range” Corridor: FRA-2022-0031-0017 and FRA-2022-0031-0028.

Corridors Suggested by Amtrak

The Utah RPA would like to express support for corridors suggested by Amtrak in their July 28, 2022, presentation in
Salt Lake City. The following four corridors were suggested and are illustrated in the included maps: Salt Lake City to
Las Vegas (the aforementioned “Desert Wind/High Desert” Corridor), Salt Lake City to Boise (the aforementioned
“Pioneer/Intermountain” Corridor), Salt Lake City to Reno (as a daytime compliment to Amtrak’s existing California
Zephyr), and Salt Lake City to Denver (as a nighttime compliment to Amtrak’s existing California Zephyr). One
additional corridor to be considered, which was not suggested by Amtrak is but of a similar nature, is Salt Lake City to
Denver via Cheyenne across southern Wyoming.

address 150 S State St Ste 100 Box 50, Salt Lake City UT 84111 P phone 385.355.4567 P web UtahRPA.org
LinkUtah Proposal

LinkUtah is a transportation initiative introduced by the Utah RPA, the first phase of which would bring state-
sponsored Amtrak service to Utah connecting Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front north to Logan, southeast to
Moab and Grand Junction, and southwest to Cedar City with intermediate stations. Motor coach service would
connect Cedar City to Saint George. Frequency is envisioned to be at least three round trips per day on each segment.
Capital costs would be minimized by using existing Union Pacific freight infrastructure with Amtrak as the operator.
The initial phase is summarized by the included LinkUtah map. Subsequent phases of LinkUtah could also expand bus
service within Utah to provide basic transit service to all of Utah’s twenty-nine counties. The Utah RPA is currently
building a coalition of support from communities throughout Utah to further the LinkUtah proposal.

Magic Valley Corridor, Idaho

As a future complement to the “Pioneer/Intermountain” Corridor, the Magic Valley Corridor maps show how using
75 miles of existing rail lines, 16 miles of an abandoned rail right of way, and one 11-mile new segment of rail would
allow trains to better serve larger populations in Idaho—including the communities of Jerome, Twin Falls, Burley, and
Rupert.

Cache Valley Corridor, Idaho/Utah

As a future complement to the “Pioneer/Intermountain” Corridor and the LinkUtah proposal, the Cache Valley
Corridor maps show how using 36 miles of an existing rail line, one 6-mile new segment of rail, and one 10-mile new
segment of rail would allow trains to better serve populations in Idaho and Utah—including the communities of
Preston, Logan, Brigham City, and Ogden—while also facilitating the creation of a new commuter rail system.

Virgin River Corridor, Utah/Arizona/Nevada

As a future complement to the “Desert Wind/High Desert” Corridor and the LinkUtah proposal, the Virgin River
Corridor maps show how using 31 miles of an existing rail line and one 129-mile new segment of rail would allow trains
to better serve larger populations in Utah, Arizona, and Nevada—including the communities of Cedar City, Hurricane,
Saint George, and Mesquite—while also facilitating the creation of a new commuter rail system.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Mike Christensen
Executive Director
Mike@UtahRPA.org

address 150 S State St Ste 100 Box 50, Salt Lake City UT 84111 P phone 385.355.4567 P web UtahRPA.org
 MAPS:
Corridors Suggested by Amtrak

address 150 S State St Ste 100 Box 50, Salt Lake City UT 84111 P phone 385.355.4567 P web UtahRPA.org
 16

Illustrative Utah Rail Map

Important Disclaimer

The following SLC routes are meant

to be illustrative only. Amtrak has not
done in-depth route analysis to Boise
Pocatello
determine feasibility, nor to confirm
the routes’ characteristics.
Salt Lake City
Provo
Denver
Amtrak is not recommending these Reno

routes but is simply providing high- Grand

Junction
level examples of what could be St.
possible if the state or other eligible George

applicants want to pursue further Las Vegas

studies and/or submit an Expression

of Interest to the FRA.
 17

Salt Lake City – Las Vegas

Illustrative Route Profile
New corridor; currently no Amtrak service.

• Approximate Route Length: ~448 miles

• Possible Train Time: 7 hours

• Comparative Drive Time: 6 hours

Salt Lake City
Provo
• Possible Stops:

▪ Salt Lake City

St.
George
▪ Provo
Las Vegas
▪ Delta

▪ Milford

▪ Las Vegas

• Likely Host Railroad: Union Pacific

 18

Salt Lake City – Boise

Illustrative Route Profile
New corridor; currently no Amtrak service.

• Approximate Route Length: ~408 miles

Boise
Pocatello
• Possible Train Time: ~7.5 hours

• Comparative Drive Time: 5 hours

Salt Lake City
• Possible Stops:
▪ Salt Lake City
▪ Ogden
▪ Brigham City
▪ Pocatello
▪ Shoshone
▪ Mountain Home
▪ Boise

• Likely Host Railroad: Union Pacific

 19

Salt Lake City – Reno

Illustrative Route Profile
A daytime corridor train could serve as a 2nd
frequency between these cities, which are
already served by the long-distance
California Zephyr at night.

• Approximate Route Length: ~594 miles

Salt Lake City

Reno • Possible Train Time: 9 hours

• Comparative Drive Time: 7 hours

• Possible Stops:
▪ Salt Lake City
▪ Elko
▪ Winnemucca
▪ Reno

• Likely Host Railroad: Union Pacific

 20

Salt Lake City – Denver

Illustrative Route Profile
An overnight corridor train could serve as a
2nd frequency between these cities, which
are already served by the long-distance
California Zephyr.
• Approximate Route Length: ~570 miles
Salt Lake City
Provo
Denver • Possible Train Time: 14 hours

Grand • Comparative Drive Time: 9 hours

Junction

• Possible Stops:
▪ Salt Lake City
▪ Provo, Helper, Green River
▪ Grand Junction, Glenwood Springs, Granby, Fraser
▪ Denver

• Likely Host Railroad: BNSF, Union Pacific

 MAPS:
LinkUtah Proposal

address 150 S State St Ste 100 Box 50, Salt Lake City UT 84111 P phone 385.355.4567 P web UtahRPA.org
The Problem
Many people in Utah lack access to
good transportation options. While
the majority of Utah’s more than
3 million residents live along the
Wasatch Front and enjoy access to
FrontRunner, TRAX, and bus service,
more than a fifth of Utah’s residents
live beyond the Wasatch Front and
lack adequate public transportation
options.
290
How many hours Americans
spend on the road annually.*
$8,849
How much Americans spend a year
to own and drive a car.*
23
Utah counties not served by
the Utah Transit Authority.
* According to the American Automobile Association.
address 150 S State St Ste 100 Box 50, Salt Lake City UT 84111 P phone 385.355.4567 P web UtahRPA.org
The Solution
Imagine — if Utah had a better rail
system — how residents might save
money, time, and improve their overall
quality of life.
“As a business owner, I need Utah
to be competitive. To recruit talent
from out of state, sustainable transit
options are crucial.”
“As a USU student, I would love to
go home for a weekend to SLC
and have time to get my
homework done.”
“I love Moab, but traffic is terrible
down there. All I need for a
weekend getaway is my bike
and my luggage — on a train.”
“In our small town, we don’t have
many options for medical care, but
those options open up if I can
get to a city by train.”
LinkUtah
LinkUtah is a transportation
initiative introduced by the Utah
Rail Passengers Association — the
first phase of which would bring
state-sponsored Amtrak service
to Utah connecting Salt Lake City
and the Wasatch Front north to
Logan, southeast to Moab and Grand
Junction, and southwest to Cedar
City with intermediate stations. Motor
coach service would connect Cedar
City to Saint George. Frequency is
envisioned to be at least three round
trips per day on each segment.
Capital costs would be minimized by
using existing Union Pacific freight
infrastructure with Amtrak as the
operator — as is done by 17 other
states. The initial phase is summarized
by the map on the next page.
Subsequent phases of LinkUtah could
expand passenger rail service into
neighboring states and connect to
cities such as Las Vegas, Reno, Boise,
Idaho Falls, and Denver via Cheyenne.
Subsequent phases of LinkUtah could
also expand bus service within Utah to
provide basic transit service to all of
Utah’s 29 counties.
To help us LinkUtah, please support
the Utah Rail Passengers Association
with a financial donation or reach out
to get involved. Our goal is to fund a
comprehensive study that will guide
the next steps to fully linking Utah with
sustainable transit options.
LinkUtah Initial Phase Passenger Rail Map

Logan

Brigham City

Ogden

Salt Lake City

Provo

Nephi Helper
Price
Delta
Green River
Grand Junction

Moab
Milford

Cedar City

Saint George

Proposed Passenger Rail Routes

Proposed Motor Coach Routes
Existing Amtrak California Zephyr Route
Existing Utah Transit Authority FrontRunner Route
Proposed Stations
Existing Amtrak Stations
address 150 S State St Ste 100 Box 50, Salt Lake City UT 84111 P phone 385.355.4567 P web UtahRPA.org
 MAPS:
Magic Valley Corridor, Idaho

address 150 S State St Ste 100 Box 50, Salt Lake City UT 84111 P phone 385.355.4567 P web UtahRPA.org
 BEFORE

Shoshone

Jerome

Rupert

Twin Falls
Burley

Union Pacific and former Pioneer

Eastern Idaho Railroad
abandoned right of way

0 10 20 30 40 50 Miles
1:500,000
 AFTER

Shoshone

77 mi

16 mi

11 mi Jerome

14 mi

11 mi Rupert

46 mi
11 mi Twin Falls
Burley

50 mi

existing
restored
new

0 10 20 30 40 50 Miles
1:500,000
 MAPS:
Cache Valley Corridor, Idaho/Utah

address 150 S State St Ste 100 Box 50, Salt Lake City UT 84111 P phone 385.355.4567 P web UtahRPA.org
 Current
to Pocatello

Malad City

Preston

I D A H O

U T A H

Logan
Tremonton

Brigham City

Union Pacific - Main Line

Union Pacific - Branch
Ogden
Existing FrontRunner Commuter Rail

0 10 20 Miles
1:500,000 to Salt Lake City
 Improvements
to Pocatello

Malad City

Preston
6 mi

I D A H O

U T A H
21 mi

36 mi
51 mi

Logan
Tremonton 15 mi

26 mi

10 mi

1 mi
Brigham City

22 mi
Main Line
Upgraded Branch Line
Future Expansion
New Lines
Ogden
Existing FrontRunner Commuter Rail

0 10 20 Miles
1:500,000 to Salt Lake City
 Future
to Pocatello

Malad City

Preston

I D A H O
Franklin
U T A H
Portage Lewiston

Richmond
Plymouth

Smithfield

North Logan

Garland

Tremonton Logan

Nibley

Hyrum
Wellsville
Bear River City

Corinne

Brigham City
Perry

Willard Amtrak and Commuter Rail

Commuter Rail Only
Future Expansion
Commuter Rail and Amtrak
Pleasant View
Amtrak

Ogden BDO Future Expansion

Existing FrontRunner Commuter Rail
Ogden

0 10 20 Miles
1:500,000 to Salt Lake City
 MAPS:
Virgin River Corridor, Utah/Arizona/Nevada

address 150 S State St Ste 100 Box 50, Salt Lake City UT 84111 P phone 385.355.4567 P web UtahRPA.org
Current
to Salt Lake City

N E V A D A
U T A H
Cedar City
Caliente

Saint George
U T A H
A R I Z O N A

Mesquite
A R I Z O N A
N E V A D A

Union Pacific - Main Line

Union Pacific - Branch
Las Vegas

0 10 20 30 40 50 Miles
to Los Angeles 1:1,000,000
Improvements
to Salt Lake City

N E V A D A
U T A H
28 mi

Cedar City
157 mi 3 mi
Caliente

129 mi
Saint George
U T A H
A R I Z O N A

Mesquite
A R I Z O N A
N E V A D A

Main Line
Upgraded Branch Line
New Line
Las Vegas

0 10 20 30 40 50 Miles
to Los Angeles 1:1,000,000
Future
to Salt Lake City

N E V A D A
U T A H
Cedar City

La Verkin

Ivins
Santa Clara
Hurricane
Washington
Saint George U T A H
A R I Z O N A
Beaver Dam

Mesquite
A R I Z O N A

Moapa
N E V A D A

Amtrak and Commuter Rail

Commuter Rail Only
Amtrak Only
Amtrak
Commuter Rail and Amtrak

Las Vegas

0 10 20 30 40 50 Miles
to Los Angeles 1:1,000,000