Century-old Utah welcomes its initial railroad reopening
New Short Line Railroad Opens in Utah, Boosting Logistics for Businesses
Utah's first new short line railroad in over a century, the Savage Tooele Railroad, officially opened in northwest Utah on Wednesday. The 11-mile route, which restores a former Union Pacific (UP) branch, serves the Lakeview Business Park in Grantsville.
The railroad's development partners include The Romney Group, Prologis, Savage Companies, and Rio Tinto. Union Pacific Railroad's executive vice president - marketing and sales, Kenny Rocker, stated that the Savage Tooele Railroad partnership is a 'win-win' for meeting growing demand in Salt Lake City.
The railroad's first shipments will begin later this month. These solutions, according to Rocker, help customers connect to UP's premier network and reach their markets faster. The railroad will provide tenants access to markets across North America.
The Lakeview Business Park, a 1,700-acre site located approximately 35 miles west of Salt Lake City and UP's intermodal terminal there, will benefit significantly from the integration of rail service. This integration creates a logistical competitive advantage, reducing transportation costs and enabling faster distribution.
The railroad operates five days a week with a 286,000-pound gross rail load capacity. The Surface Transportation Board approved the project in April 2024, and construction began in November.
The Savage Tooele Railroad project was initially filed with the Surface Transportation Board in 2021. The partnership between Union Pacific Railroad and Savage Tooele Railroad allows for the delivery of innovative rail solutions.
The railroad's development and operation are a testament to the growing demand for efficient logistics solutions in the region. The Savage Tooele Railroad is set to play a crucial role in the economic growth of northwest Utah and the wider Salt Lake City area.
