Feds finalize new plan for Amtrak’s future long-distance trains through Utah
Mike Christensen on June 18, 2024



The fourth and final round of meetings of the Federal Railroad Administration‘s Amtrak Daily Long-Distance Service Study took place over the past two weeks, and we now have more details about passenger rail in Utah.

The FRA is evaluating the potential restoration of daily long-distance intercity passenger rail service and the potential for new Amtrak long-distance routes as part of the study.

Amtrak’s existing long-distance network is comprised of 15 routes, including the California Zephyr, which crosses Utah on its 2,438-mile journey between Chicago and San Francisco.

A prior Building Salt Lake article announced the plan to add an additional 15 long-distance passenger rail routes, which are intended to fill gaps within Amtrak’s existing system and bring passenger rail to all of the 48-contiguous states.

{snip}

South Dakota makes updated proposed passenger rail map
by: Eric Mayer

Posted: Feb 19, 2024 / 12:22 PM CST
Updated: Feb 19, 2024 / 02:12 PM CST

In the 2021 announcement, which was publicly criticized by Republican Gov. Kristi Noem in a social media post, South Dakota was the only state from the 48 continental United States left off a proposed 15-year expansion map for possible passenger rail options.

The latest information released by the FRA includes feedback from previous outreach efforts and preferred new long-distance routes. The 163 slide presentation highlights input from stakeholder meetings in 2023 and the study is considered a focus on a possible long-distance network, not a “National Rail Plan.”

Two proposed routes through South Dakota are included in the FRA report. One possible route includes Minneapolis-St. Paul, Sioux Falls, Omaha and Kansas City, while the other proposed route includes Denver, Cheyenne, Wyoming, Rapid City, Pierre, Sioux Falls and Minneapolis-St. Paul.

{Snip}