Senate advances $500,000 request for Promontory rail restoration study

Senate Bill 15, carried by Senator Robert F. Montgomery, was advanced to the third-reading calendar after Montgomery described a community-led plan to restore rail service from Corinne to Promontory Point and to establish a tourist train running from Union Station in Ogden to Promontory Point.

Montgomery told the Senate the project team seeks approximately $500,000 in state support: $200,000 for an environmental impact study required by federal authorities, $200,000 for working drawings and plans, and about $100,000 as a matching grant for preliminary work. "There's been an extensive feasibility study done which shows it to be a profitable and workable program," Montgomery said.

Supporters noted local fundraising already committed toward the project and framed the restoration as a community and economic development effort tied to the Golden Spike/Promontory Point historic site. "The Golden Spike Promontory Point site is the single number 1 historical railroad site in The United States," Montgomery said, arguing the site has national and international historic significance.

The committee report recommending a favorable action was adopted and Montgomery moved the bill for placement on the third-reading calendar. The roll-call result reported by the presiding officer placed SB15 on the bottom of the third-reading calendar.

If enacted, the requested funding would support federal compliance steps and design work to allow the project to proceed; further action and appropriation decisions would follow in the fiscal process.