FrontRunner Commuter Rail

Built within two different scopes, North and South, this massive undertaking created a centralized commuter rail line to serve the most populus regions of Utah. The 89-mile-long alignment runs through four counties and 26 cities, and is adjacent to the Union Pacific mainline. In the years since, Stacy Witbeck has built an additional station, multiple connections to the Trax light rail system, as well as BRT connection points in Murray and Ogden. 

Need 

Despite being one of the fastest growing areas of the country, there was not a mass transit option connecting many of the interconnected cities along the Wasatch Front. The FrontRunner commuter rail line addressed that problem, with stations connecting people from Ogden to Provo, a distance of nearly 90 miles housing a population of over two million. 

Work 

Due to the scale of work needed, the job was split into two scopes, with Stacy Witbeck acting as the managing joint venture partner on both. 

FrontRunner South 

• 44 miles of ballasted track. 
• Two large bridges, including a flyover structure over a Union Pacific yard. 
• 35 at grade crossings. 
• Seven park and rides. 
• Nine station platforms. 
• Pedestrian over and under crossings. 
• Relocation of Union Pacific tracks. 
• Signal and train control system design and construction.  
• Fiber optic installation and relocation.

FrontRunner North 

• Five grade crossings.  
• 30 bridges.  
• 20 fill walls.  
• Seven significant box culverts. 
• Four park and rides,  
• Seven platforms,  
• One pedestrian undercrossing. 
• River and canal crossings

Coordination 

Due to the scope of the project, a collaborative mindset was paramount to ensure the needs of the numerous stakeholders were met. One example was the construction of grade-crossings with quiet zone amenities, which required coordination with Union Pacific, UDOT, school districts, bus agencies, and multiple city agencies, with up to 40 trains running daily at speeds up to 70 mph. 

Impact 

With continually growing ridership, reaching over four million people in 2024 alone, the FrontRunner has proven to be a resounding success for residents and visitors to the Wasatch Front. Because of this, UTA is moving forward with plans to alleviate bottlenecks and increase service frequency and reliability with the FrontRunner 2X double tracking project. 

Awards

Intermountain Contractor – Best Transportation Project      

AGC of Utah Transportation Project of the Year 

AGC of Utah Achievement of Safety Excellence 

NRC Contractor Safety Award 

AGC of Utah Achievement of Safety Excellence