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Committee approves $150 million Cottonwood Canyon authorization and adds language to keep alternatives open
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Summary
The subcommittee approved using $150 million in Cottonwood Canyons Transportation Investment Fund balances to start Phase 1 work — enhanced bus service, tolling, a mobility hub and resort bus stops — and amended the language to explicitly allow UDOT to continue investigating other transportation options for Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons.
Chair opened debate on item 15, which would authorize the Department of Transportation to use $150,000,000 in Cottonwood Canyons Transportation Investment Fund balances and future accruals to support Phase 1 work. Committee members sought clarification on whether the funding is one-time and on the specific scope.
Senator McKay asked whether the $150 million authorization is ongoing or one-time; staff answered it is a one-time authorization to start Phase 1 implementation. The Chair moved the original language approving the scope in the packet. Representative (speaker 9) then restated a proposed amendment to add language directing the department to “continue investigating transportation options in the canyons beginning in fiscal year 26.”
Senator Reby spoke in support of the amendment, saying the item should not be characterized as a "gondola fund" and urging that the committee keep options open: “I appreciate this amendment … I just want to make sure that we are exploring every option,” she said, adding local opposition to a gondola and noting the problem concentrates at the mouth of the canyon. Other members voiced similar concerns about locking the department into a single approach.
After discussion, the committee approved the amendment by voice vote. The amended intent language now authorizes the specified Phase 1 activities (enhanced bus services, tolling, a mobility hub and resort bus stops) and explicitly preserves authority for UDOT to continue studying alternative transportation solutions for Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons. The amendment was recorded as adopted by voice vote and the section was amended and forwarded as part of the packet.
What’s next: the approved language and amendment will be incorporated into the chairs’ report to the Executive Appropriations Committee (EAC) and may be moved into the final budget bills during the 2026 general session. The motion to amend and adopt was procedural (voice votes), and no final appropriations beyond the authorization language were finalized in this subcommittee meeting.
