Davis County officials have approved an agreement with the state to advance nearly $1 billion in planned improvements along the FrontRunner corridor over the next five years, aimed at enhancing the commuter rail’s speed and efficiency. Though work has not started, discussions by county commissioners hint at what Davis County residents might expect as the project progresses.

The double-tracking initiative involves adding a second rail line in eight sections of the 82-mile FrontRunner route across Davis, Salt Lake, and Utah counties. “Big project,” said Jason Fielding, deputy director of the Davis County Public Works Department, noting that the changes would be significant but ultimately beneficial.

In Davis County, two rail segments are set for double-tracking under the $966-million project: a 2.1-mile stretch from the Woods Cross FrontRunner station northward to West Bountiful and a 3.8-mile stretch from north of Clearfield Station to Sunset. Fielding mentioned that the Woods Cross-Bountiful segment would likely face the greatest impacts.

As detailed in FrontRunner Forward, a plan published by the Utah Transit Authority in 2023, the Woods Cross upgrades will require an extended box culvert and partial underground canal placement. These upgrades will also necessitate relocating utilities, power poles, and removing buildings, though specifics on which structures will be impacted remain unlisted.

The planning document indicates most improvements will occur within UTA’s right-of-way but notes that “some residents and businesses may need to be relocated,” with around 73.4 acres of land expected to be acquired overall, including 4.3 acres in the Woods Cross-West Bountiful section and 4.2 acres north of Clearfield.

The newly approved agreement between Davis County Commissioners and the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) sets guidelines for handling potential impacts on county infrastructure, including flood-control systems. Fielding added that the county plans to hire an engineer to ensure the project aligns with county standards.

With the addition of a second rail line across various sections of the corridor, double-tracking will increase from 26% to 49%, enabling more frequent service and minimizing delays caused by trains waiting to share a track, according to the FrontRunner 2X Project website.

Work in Davis County is projected to span five years, with completion expected by October 2029. UDOT officials are finalizing design elements, with the exact construction schedule yet to be determined. Federal funds are anticipated to cover 70% of the $966-million cost, with the remaining 30% funded by state and local sources, according to the 2X Project website. λ