The Federal Transit Administration (FTA) announced a $62.8 million grant award to the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) to support a new bus rapid transit (BRT) route to provide fast, frequent public transportation in Salt Lake County, Utah. 

The Midvalley Express will improve accessibility, frequency, and connections, as well as encourage economic development near a regional mall, medical center, a community college, and other key activity centers.

The Midvalley Express

The seven-mile, 15-station all-electric BRT line will connect to UTA commuter rail and light rail at either end of the line. 

The new BRT service will include 1.4 miles of bus-only lanes and priority at traffic signals, speeding riders on their way. 

The Midvalley Express will run through several high and mid-density housing areas and connect to jobs, retail, and healthcare destinations. It will also stop at Salt Lake Community (SLCC) College, home to tens of thousands of students. 

“More than three-quarters of SLCC students work while pursuing a degree, making a fast, convenient and reliable transit connection all the more important,” said FTA Deputy Administrator Veronica Vanterpool. “As the Salt Lake region continues to grow, the Midvalley Express will provide a new form of reliable and convenient transit. We are pleased to include Salt Lake County to the growing list of communities benefiting from America’s largest-ever investment in high-quality public transportation.”

Preparing for Future Growth

The BRT line also will prepare the Salt Lake City region for the 2034 Olympic Games by providing a connection between Frontrunner commuter rail and the Maverik Center, a planned venue for the games.

Federal support for the estimated $104.1-million-dollar project comes from FTA’s Capital Investment Grants (CIG) program, which helps communities carry out transformational transit projects.