State-Sponsored Amtrak in Utah (feat. Mike Christensen): Episode 7

Transit options in Utah are pretty great in the Salt Lake Valley (Provo to Ogden) thanks to our wonderful Utah Transit Authority, but what if one wants to travel elsewhere in the state? Mike Christensen, MCMP, CNU-A, AICP proposes Link Utah, a plan to run state-sponsored Amtrak (a mode of operation which we explain) up, down, and across the whole state. It's a cost-effective way to change the transportation game for Utah and fill in serious inter-transit-agency gaps, completing mobility for residents and tourists alike. Links and stuffs Mike Christensen's Link Utah report Merch:https://shop.trlpod.com/ Twitter:@TheRedLine_pod YouTube channel:The Red Line Podcast Spotify:The Red Line Podcast Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/theredlinepodcasters Email:[email protected] Website:https://www.trlpod.com/ Timestamps 00:00 Intro: special guest Mike Christensen 00:30 Theme song 01:01 The Utah Rail Passengers Association &Link Utah 02:04 State-sponsored Amtrak model 02:24 The 3am California Zephyr 03:19 Intercity bus options in Utah: Salt Lake Express, Greyhound, etc. 04:05 Lack of offboard infrastructure 05:20 State-sponsored Amtrak would include proper stations (heated shelters, restrooms, convenience stores) 05:49 Amtrak vs. FrontRunner to Logan & siloed transit districts 08:10 FrontRunner construction is difficult, but we should have it eventually 08:47 Technical challenges (a.k.a. mountains) 09:27 Shortcut on the Union Pacific route 11:10 Population, growth, and demand 11:55 Comparison to the Chicago, Illinois metro area 13:33 Ridership patterns & tourism 14:40 St. George lacks rail; there would initially be a bus connection 15:58 Modeshift, industry, and cost: delivering by freight train 16:53 Moab & Grand Junction, Colorado 17:39 Tourism, national parks, and whole-system integration: filling in statewide transportation gaps 20:10 Funding (why does UDOT get so much of the money for roads?) 20:44 Shiny high-speed rail doesn't make sense in Utah 24:07 How does state-sponsored Amtrak work? (proposal with capital, operations and maintenance costs) 25:19 Track, siding, & switch upgrades 26:00 Jointed rail to be replaced with continuous welded rail 26:35 Positive train control 27:07 79 MPH and beyond 28:09 Connecting bus service & Colorado (CDOT) 30:10 "Bustang" is the name of CDOT's intercity bus service; subsidized 100% 31:33 Restoring the Amtrak Pioneer for long-distance 33:38 State-sponsored, shorter routes in the Northwest 34:09 What can we do to make Link Utah a reality? 35:07 The nonprofit Utah Rail Passengers Association 35:32 Looking for larger (corporate?) sponsors 36:21 Working on an interim committee with the state legislature 37:03 Gotta have a plan to get infrastructure money 37:44 Thanks Mike! 38:28 Smash that like button! 38:44 Know anybody with deep pockets? Point them to theUtah RPA! References & notes Mike Christensen and his Link Utah report:"An Intrastate Passenger Rail System for Utah Operated by Amtrak Using Existing Union Pacific Tracks"