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Ed Yeates ReportingWelcome news tonight for tens of thousands of Utah commuters. The state receives the biggest government transportation grant ever.
The $489 million dollar grant goes toward Utah's big commuter rail project, which will extend from Salt Lake City to the northern part of Weber County, with plenty of stops in between.
The U.S. Secretary of Transportation made the major announcement in Utah today.
The grant will pay for 80% of the Frontrunner commuter rail, that will run 44 miles from Pleasant View to Salt Lake.
What better place to deliver the news than at the new Farmington station, which is under construction? Mineta, Governor Jon Huntsman, Senator Bob Bennett, and other local leaders helped pour the concrete for the platform today. It's the first concrete poured anywhere along the line.
The project is another move long term to relieve traffic congestion along the Wasatch Front.
Norman Mineta, U.S. Sec. of Transportation: "In Salt Lake City alone, it is estimated that congestion in 2003 cost $257 million dollars and 15 million wasted hours-- time and money that would otherwise be spent on friends and family and just enjoying life."
Mineta says traffic congestion across the U.S. is such a problem that, "Clearly we must act, and we must act fast." He fears too many Americans regard congestion like taxes and death-- inevitable.
The Frontrunner project is scheduled to be completed in 2008. Neighbors are adding their touch to commuter rail plans. For the new Farmington station, Lagoon is designing a canope entry that looks like a roller coaster.
