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State active-transportation fund backs more than $250 million in trail projects, agency says
Summary
UDOT trails staff told the Active Transportation Committee that the Utah Trail Network program is funded primarily through the Active Transportation Investment Fund (ATIF), created by SB185 with $45 million one-time and $45 million ongoing; staff recommended 25 projects this cycle and said the Transportation Commission will vote on approvals later this month.
The Active Transportation Committee heard on June 1 from Eric, the trails-division program manager, that the Utah Trail Network (UTN) program is financed by the Active Transportation Investment Fund (ATIF), which was established under SB185 and provided $45 million one-time in fiscal year 2024 and $45 million in ongoing annual funding.
Eric said the funds are state-generated (primarily sales tax, plus vehicle registration and plate fees) and come without a required local match, allowing the state program to prioritize standalone trail projects and use ATIF as state-only funding that can serve as match for federal grants. He cited state code 59-12-103 to explain how revenues are deposited into the fund.
The presentation summarized programmed work in calendar years 2024–25: 21 projects (15 construction projects and six feasibility studies) totaling about $111 million, including about $10 million in local contributions and roughly 63 miles of trails. For the current programming cycle staff recommended 25 projects (13 construction, 12 studies) representing just under $125 million and just over 100 miles of trail; pending Transportation Commission approval, Eric said the UTN program would have 46 projects to date and just over a quarter‑billion dollars in combined projects and studies.
Eric told the committee that the recently passed SB242 clarified eligible uses for ATIF money — planning, design, construction, maintenance, reconstruction/renovation, corridor preservation and administration — and that those funds are targeted to projects on the Utah Trail Network as defined in state law.
On delivery and local contributions, Eric said voluntary contributions from local agencies are not part of the program’s prioritization criteria but may be used for local betterments that expand project scope. He also said project delivery follows UDOT right‑of‑way processes: local clearing of right of way helps but the department can work with property owners when needed; UDOT does not have condemnation authority for this program.
Members asked how to prepare competitive feasibility studies; Eric advised studies that document 10–12‑foot separated facilities, right-of-way constraints, utilities and environmental issues. On maintenance, Eric said the department is developing a maintenance strategy and, until that strategy is finalized, local agencies are being asked to own and maintain UTN segments they receive. He said a draft maintenance strategy is expected by the end of the calendar year.
Eric described an accelerated programming schedule to align UTN with other UDOT programs: multi-year recommendations for FY26–28 in the current cycle, a smaller program for FY29–30, and thereafter steady one-year‑ahead programming. Staff said they will share the recommended project list and additional materials with committee members for review.
The committee did not take formal action on the recommended projects during the meeting; Eric said the Transportation Commission is scheduled to vote on the recommendations later in the month.
