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TO: |
Local Advisory Council |
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THROUGH: |
Jay Fox, Executive Director |
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FROM: |
Nichol Bourdeaux, Chief Planning & Engagement Officer |
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PRESENTER(S): |
Hal Johnson, Acting Director of Innovative Mobility Solutions |
TITLE:
title
Federal Railroad Administration Corridor Identification and Development Program Update
end
AGENDA ITEM TYPE:
Discussion
RECOMMENDATION:
Informational item for discussion
BACKGROUND:
On November 15, 2021, President Biden signed the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Public Law 117-58. The BIL authorized the Secretary of Transportation to establish the Corridor ID Program to facilitate the development of intercity passenger rail corridors. Unprecedented funding levels have been provided to the FRA (Federal Railroad Administration) programs. The Corridor ID Program is a comprehensive intercity passenger rail planning and development program that will help guide intercity passenger rail development throughout the country and create a pipeline of intercity passenger rail projects ready for implementation.
DISCUSSION:
UTA partnered with officials in Idaho, Utah, and Nevada to submit two Corridor ID applications. The Pioneer Corridor (Boise to SLC) would restore a key segment of Amtrak’s former Pioneer Line between two of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. The corridor would also serve rural and disadvantaged communities in the Mountain West that currently lack access to the intercity rail network or many other transportation options. The Pioneer Corridor application was submitted by the Idaho Transportation Department.
The proposed Desert Wind (SLC to Las Vegas) service restoration parallels the I-15 corridor between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. This service would connect some of the Nation’s fastest-growing regions in Utah and Nevada. The need for multi-modal connections between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City has been highlighted in previous studies. The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) submitted the application for the Desert Wind Corridor. Being part of the program could make UTA and our corridor eligible for investments from the FRA.
ALTERNATIVES:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
None currently. The first phase of the Corridor Identification Development program includes $500,000 in “seed money” with no match requirements.
ATTACHMENTS:
None