The Utah Department of Transportation and Utah Transit Authority are exploring ways to alleviate traffic congestion between northern Utah County and Salt Lake County.

One idea that transportation officials are thinking about is to implement a nearly $1 billion light rail transit system, connecting commuters between Lehi and Draper.

According to a June 24 UDOT media release, results of the Point of the Mountain Transit NEPA Environmental Assessment identified light rail as the locally preferred alternative for a future high-capacity transit solution between the two cities.

The findings are currently available online for public review and for citizens to comment on.

The project would cost $945 million to build, of which UDOT says only $75 million has been secured.

The environmental study was initiated in 2019 and looked at several transit models, including bus rapid transit, light rail transit and a multiple-unit rail system.

During a virtual public meeting on June 25, Jim Golden, transit division director at UDOT, said the focus is on planning for expected growth near the border of Utah and Salt Lake counties.

“Each agency is focused on planning ahead for expected growth at the Point of the Mountain, along with continued growth in both Draper and Lehi,” he said. “All of us understand the need to prepare now for high capacity transit service in this area in the future; anybody that drives north and south on I-15 knows what a bottleneck this is.”

He added that while the goal is addressing long-term traffic and infrastructure demands, UDOT and UTA also want to support projects that are already under development.

If the proposed transit option moves forward, it would run through the Point of the Mountain system, with a stop at the future mixed-use development The Point and several stops added in north Lehi.

However, some of the plans could change as transportation officials are still very early into exploring what the needs are for the area.

“It’s likely this wouldn’t be built for almost two decades, so it could totally change where things kind of go,” said Wyatt Woolley, UDOT Region 3 spokesperson, in a phone call with the Daily Herald on Monday afternoon.

In the meantime, citizens are encouraged to weigh in on the transit option, as the 30-day public comment period ends Thursday.

Comments can be submitted through the project website udotinput.utah.gov, via email at pointtransit@utah.gov or by phone at 385-374-9992.