Bre Brush News Today

In March 2023, the Federal Railroad Administration had two grants open online, and an ITD employee accidentally submitted the state’s application to the wrong grant portal.

“This expression of interest was a way for us to raise our hand to the Federal Rail Administration to say that we are interested in restoring passenger rail.”

Not too long after Amtrak rolled away from the Boise Depot in 1997, thus ending regular passenger service to the Treasure Valley, there have been several efforts to reintroduce the service. But even supporters of those efforts would admit that they didn’t get too far beyond the conversation stage. But something in 2022 is very, very different.

Salt Lake City and Boise leaders are working on a plan to restore a large portion of an old passenger rail line, providing new service from Salt Lake City to an area near Boise.