LOS ANGELES, CA – STV today announced it has been selected to support the expansion of Utah Transit Authority’s (UTA) FrontRunner commuter rail system.
The nearly $1 billion FrontRunner 2X project is a transformative investment to modernize and expand the 89-mile commuter rail corridor between Ogden and Provo. Led by the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and in partnership with UTA and Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR), the program will add double track in 11 strategic locations, easing bottlenecks and increasing operational flexibility. It will also include 10 new trains, a new maintenance facility, signaling and infrastructure upgrades, targeted track realignments and a new station in Bluffdale. Together, these improvements will raise system capacity by more than 50 percent, cut wait times in half to 15-minute peak service and 30-minute off-peak service, and increase travel time reliability.
Working as a subconsultant to Horrocks Engineers, the lead progressive design-build engineer, STV is leading the double-track design for two corridor segments between the Vineyard, Provo and Orem stations. STV will provide detailed engineering and constructability-focused design solutions that support efficient project delivery. The firm was selected for its deep rail engineering expertise and long-standing experience working with both UTA and Union Pacific Railroad. Horrocks is part of the progressive design-build team led by the joint venture of Stacy Witbeck and Ralph L. Wadsworth called FrontRunner Forward Partners, which is delivering the corridor-wide improvements for UTA.
“FrontRunner is the backbone of Utah’s regional transit network, and this expansion represents a generational investment in connecting communities along the Wasatch Front,” said Heath Therrien, vice president and regional alternative delivery director at STV. “We are proud to bring our national rail expertise to the design-build team, supporting UTA and UDOT’s vision for more frequent, reliable and sustainable rail service for riders.”
The expansion supports Utah Governor Spencer Cox’s long-range transportation plan to address unprecedented population growth, reduce roadway congestion and expand transit options. Construction will proceed in phases through 2030 while maintaining FrontRunner service.
For more than 60 years, STV has earned a reputation as a leader in the rail transportation industry, shaping projects from planning through design, construction management, system startup and operation. STV has led key initiatives, including the LA Metro Purple Line Extension Section 2 and Section 3 in Los Angeles, the Sound Transit Lynnwood Link extension in Seattle, the Amtrak Ivy Yard Expansion in Washington D.C. and Grand Central Madison in New York City.
Across the West, STV has delivered major infrastructure projects with its deep expertise in light rail, bus rapid transit, zero-emission vehicles, tolling infrastructure, project delivery and program and construction management. Signature projects include the Anaheim Regional Transportation Intermodal Center in Anaheim, the San Mateo 101 Express Lanes in San Franscisco, the LA Metro Zero-Emissions Bus Program in Los Angeles the BART Canopy and Escalator Enhancements in San Francisco.
