The Utah Transit Authority is accepting public comments on a proposed $504 million budget covering the first six months of 2027. The spending plan includes continued preparation for the FrontRunner 2X double-tracking project along the Wasatch Front.

The comment period opened Sept. 23 and closes at 5 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 26, according to UTA's budget page. Residents who ride FrontRunner through Bountiful, Woods Cross or Farmington have a direct stake: the budget funds ongoing work on FrontRunner 2X, which would bring 15-minute peak service and 30-minute all-day service to the corridor.

The six-month budget covers a transition period. UTA is shifting from a calendar-year budget cycle, which ends Dec. 31, 2026, to match the State of Utah's fiscal year beginning July 1, 2027, UTA Public Relations Coordinator Thomas Lee told the Standard-Examiner.

FrontRunner 2X would add 26.1 miles of double track in 11 locations, 10 new trainsets, a new station and a new maintenance facility, the Davis Journal reported in August. The Federal Transit Administration approved the project to enter its engineering phase on Aug. 7, moving it closer to nearly $1.3 billion in federal funding. Construction is anticipated from 2027 through 2030, pending completion of the federal grant process.

UTA says the upgraded service would be 17% faster than driving I-15.

When the FTA gave that approval in August, UTA Executive Director Jay Fox said the upgrades would mean "shorter waits, more frequent trains, and a more dependable trip" for riders, ABC4 reported. UTA has also cited the project as preparation for the 2034 Olympic Games and projected growth to more than 1.1 million residents along the Wasatch Front by 2050.

UTA will hold a public open house at 5:30 p.m. on Oct. 26 in the Golden Spike conference room at UTA headquarters, 669 West 200 South, Salt Lake City. A public hearing follows at 6 p.m. in the same room. Remote participation is available by Zoom with advance registration through UTA's Public Meeting Portal.

Residents can also submit comments online at rideuta.com, by email at [email protected], by phone at 801-287-3888, or by mail to Jolisha Branch, c/o Utah Transit Authority, 669 W. 200 S., Salt Lake City, UT 84101. All comments must be received by the deadline to be included in the public record.