Every morning, thousands of Utahns board the FrontRunner or merge onto I-15, participating in a daily rhythm that powers one of the fastest-growing economies in the nation. Our infrastructure connects a worker in Provo to a job in Salt Lake City, moves freight from distribution centers to storefronts across the state and carries visitors from Salt Lake City International Airport to world-class ski resorts. It is the backbone of how emergency responders reach those in need and how families get home safely. For Utahns, roads and rails are not abstract policy but the foundation of daily life. And the federal partnership that helps build and maintain these systems is approaching a critical moment.
Federal surface transportation programs, authorized under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, are set to expire on September 30, 2026. Reauthorization is the process by which Congress renews and funds these programs, and it matters because infrastructure projects are planned in years, not months. Utah’s ability to expand transit, maintain highways and prepare for a population projected to reach five million by 2050 depends on a predictable federal partner. Without long-term reauthorization, states face uncertainty that delays projects, increases costs and undermines our competitive position. I experienced this first-hand when I served as Counsel for the U.S. House of Representatives, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee during the reauthorization in 2005. The Chairman I worked for constantly reminded us, “there are no Republican or Democrat roads or rails … this must be a bipartisan effort.” From that experience, I know that for Utah to continue leading, we need Congress to act in a bipartisan way to provide the sustained commitment that major infrastructure demands.
The return on infrastructure investment is measurable and significant. In Utah, every dollar invested in transit generates $5.11 in economic activity, supporting approximately 79,000 jobs and contributing $2.9 billion in annual household income. The FrontRunner 2X project, an initiative to double-track our commuter rail corridor, will reduce congestion, cut peak-hour wait times to 15 minutes and give workers greater access to employment centers across the Wasatch Front. These investments also strengthen Utah’s supply chains, keeping freight moving efficiently and costs manageable for businesses of all sizes. And as we prepare to host the 2034 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, reliable infrastructure is not just an economic advantage but essential to welcoming the world.
Utah’s business community speaks with one voice on this issue: reliable infrastructure is essential to growth. Congressman Burgess Owens, the first Utahn to serve on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in more than two decades, has shown what effective federal partnership looks like by championing bipartisan legislation to support transit investment in Olympic host cities. The Utah Chamber stands alongside Congressman Owens, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, local governments and partners across the state in calling for a bipartisan, multi-year reauthorization that maintains or increases current funding levels. This shared commitment between the public and private sectors has long been Utah’s formula for success. Progress requires continued coordination at every level.
We urge Congress to act decisively: reauthorize surface transportation programs before the September 2026 deadline and modernize the Highway Trust Fund to ensure long-term stability. Infrastructure investment is not a partisan issue but an investment in economic opportunity, in the safety of our communities, and in America’s ability to compete globally. Utah is ready to build. And when federal and state leaders work together, Utah thrives. This is the moment to renew that partnership.
Derek Miller is the president and CEO of the Utah Chamber.
