Union Pacific may allow temporary commuter rail service around Salt Lake City, Utah, if negotiations are successful by the Utah Transit Authority.

The UTA is attempting to secure access to UP rails for service to relieve congestion that is anticipated by a 65-mile Interstate 15 overhaul - the Salt Lake City line to Santaquin. How temporary the service would be is still a question to be answered, as the project would take three-to-four years for completion. There is currently no start date.

If successful during the temporary period, the UTA would look to put permanent commuter rail in place if voters would approve a sales tax increase to pay for it. An estimated investment of $93 million would be necessary to start the temporary train as platforms and other infrastructure would need to facilitate passengers. That construction would also serve permanent commuter rail should it be built, said agency spokesman Justin Jones.

During the initial 'temporary' period, commuter trains would run only during the morning and evening commute hours. That service would cost the UTA an estimated $2 million for operations. If deemed successful during the 3-4 year period, the UTA would build its own tracks parallel to the Union Pacific tracks Jones said.