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7/20/2026
The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and Patriot Rail Co. broke ground on July 17 on a new $31 million interchange south of Salt Lake City Airport. The new interchange will relocate switching from the East Main Yard of Patriot Rail’s Salt Lake, Garfield and Western Railway (SLGW).
The project will reduce grade crossing congestion in Salt Lake City’s west side, UDOT officials said in a press release.
The U.S. Department of Transportation awarded a $13.65 million grant to the UDOT to anchor the project in 2018; SLGW contributed more than $17 million and the Utah Inland Port Authority (UIPA) approved an additional $500,000 in funding on behalf of the state.
In addition to benefiting residents by reducing blocked grade crossing frequency and duration, improving local traffic flow and lowering emissions from vehicle idling, the project will also give SLGW greater capacity to serve freight-rail shippers and decrease truck congestion on roads.
“This project will reduce train impacts in Salt Lake City neighborhoods while supporting safer, more efficient and sustainable freight rail service,” said Ben Hart, UIPA executive director. “We appreciate Patriot Rail, Salt Lake City, UDOT and federal partners for moving this long-needed West Side interchange forward.”
Patriot Rail and UDOT will jointly administer the construction; the principal construction contract was awarded to Paragon Construction Systems, a Salt Lake-region railroad and civil contractor. The new interchange is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2027.