STB rejects request to reconsider approval of new rail line in Utah

The Surface Transportation Board has denied a petition that asked the board to reconsider its April 2024 decision to grant the Savage Tooele Railroad Co. (STR) the authority to build and operate an 11-mile rail line in Utah.

On April 1, 2024, the board granted STR's petition to build the rail line in Tooele County subject to certain environmental mitigation conditions. When completed, the rail line will connect to Union Pacific Railroad for tenants of the Lakeview Business Park in Grantsville, Utah, linking supply chains and providing an alternative to truck-only transportation.

In May 2024, the Utah Physicians for a Healthy Environment, Erda Community Association, Sid Atkin and Kyle Mathews filed a joint petition that asked the STB to stay and reconsider its decision to allow the short line's construction. Their concerns primarily focused on what they believe will be the environmental impact of the short line's operations.

STR broke ground on the project in November 2024.

In its ruling made public yesterday, the STB states it rejected the petitioners' request because they didn't prove their claim that the STB erred in its environmental review of the project, nor did they support their claims for having new evidence.

To read the board's decision, click here.