BACKGROUND
Why does the RTP need to be amended?
MAG's RTP — TransPlan50 — is updated every four years. When a project needs to be added/changed/removed from the RTP before MAG updates the next RTP, an amendment process is initiated. These reasons include requests from UDOT, UTA, the Legislature, and local communities; results of studies; and availability of new funding.
What is the amendment process?
When an amendment is proposed, it must go through an approval process before it can be adopted. The proposed change is first analyzed to ensure it meets federal air quality regulations. Proposed funding must also be identified.
Next, the public and stakeholders have an opportunity to provide input through a 30-day public comment process. MAG committees review the proposed change and any public and stakeholder comments and then choose to adopt the changes into the RTP. Once adopted, the amendment officially becomes part of TransPlan50.
What are the types of amendments?
Level 1 | Staff Modification: Exempt1 projects
MAG staff can amend these into the RTP, but this requires approval from MAG's Executive Director and coordination with FHWA and the Interagency Consultation Team.
Level 2 | Board Modification: Non-exempt, non-regionally significant projects
These require approval from MAG's MPO Board, coordination with the Interagency Consultation Team, and an air quality conformity determination from FHWA.
Level 3 | Full Amendment: Non-exempt, regionally significant2 projects
These require approval from MAG's MPO Board, coordination with the Interagency Consultation Team, an air quality conformity determination from FHWA, an air quality conformity analysis, and a 30-day public comment period.
1 "Exempt" projects are those listed in 40 CFR 93.126 and 40 CFR 93.127 that are not subject to the requirements of regional emissions analysis.
2 See 40 CFR 93.101 for the definition of a "regionally significant project."
AMENDMENT 1 SUMMARY
- Level 1 Projects
- 1 new safety improvement project
- 2 merged highway projects
- Level 2 Projects
- 1 new transit project
- Level 3 Projects
- 10 projects omitted from the adopted air quality analysis
- 1 corrected highway project
- 1 updated highway project
- 2 new transit projects
- 1 removed transit project
LEVEL 1 PROJECTS | Staff Modification
Geneva Road Safety Project
- New Project
- Provo 2000 N to Provo Center St
- Cost: $108,000,000
- Phase 1 fiscally constrained
- Adds median, shoulders, and sidewalks
- Includes trail project in RTP (A81)
- Financial Justification: Legislative Appropriations from 2023/2024 to pay debt service frees up planning funds for future TIF-eligible projects
Spanish Fork Center Street (H54)
- Merged Project
- Combines H49: I-15 / Spanish Fork Center Street Interchange with H54: Spanish Fork Center Street / UC 6400 S
- No cost or phase change
Traverse Mountain Boulevard (H76)
- Merged Project
- Combines H70: I-15 / Traverse Mountain Boulevard Interchange with H76: Traverse Mountain Boulevard
- No cost or phase change
LEVEL 2 PROJECTS | Board Modification
Point of the Mountain Bus Shuttle Service
- New Project
- Serves Lehi FrontRunner Station and Traverse Mountain
- Cost: $30,000,000 (Utah County portion)
- Phase 1 fiscally constrained
- Proposed as a near-term solution to a future light rail project
- Financial Justification: The previous POM BRT project in RTP was removed from the plan with the new study. Freed up $210M in planning funds for phase 1 and 2 transit projects
LEVEL 3 PROJECTS | Full Amendment
Airport Road (H2)
- Omitted from adopted air quality analysis
- Added to plan in May 2023
- Phase 1 fiscally constrained
Clubhouse Drive (H3)
- Omitted from adopted air quality analysis
- Changed phase in May 2023
- New Fiscally Constrained Phase: 1
Old Fiscally Constrained Phase: 2
I-15 / University Parkway Interchange (H14)
- Omitted from adopted air quality analysis
- Changed phase in May 2023
- New Fiscally Constrained Phase: 1
Old Fiscally Constrained Phase: 2
I-15 / Nebo Belt Road & Interchange (H23)
- Omitted from adopted air quality analysis
- Changed phase in May 2023
- New Fiscally Constrained Phase: 1
Old Fiscally Constrained Phase: 2
I-15 Freeway Widening | University Avenue to US 6 (H45)
- Omitted from adopted air quality analysis
- Changed phase in May 2023
- New Fiscally Constrained Phase: 2
Old Fiscally Constrained Phase: 3
SR 198 | Woodland Hills Drive to Salem 400 N (H56)
- Omitted from adopted air quality analysis
- Changed phase in May 2023
- New Fiscally Constrained Phase: 2
Old Fiscally Constrained Phase: 1
SR 198 | Salem 400 N to Payson 800 E (H63)
- Omitted from adopted air quality analysis
- Changed phase in May 2023
- New Fiscally Constrained Phase: 2
Old Fiscally Constrained Phase: 3
US 6 Expressway (H64)
- Omitted from adopted air quality analysis
- Changed phase in May 2023
- New Fiscally Constrained Phase: 2
Old Fiscally Constrained Phase: 3
Mountain View South Freeway (H69)
- Omitted from adopted air quality analysis
- Changed phase in May 2023
- New Fiscally Constrained Phase: 3
Old Fiscally Constraind Phase: Not Phased
Pioneer Crossing Expressway (H72)
- Omitted from adopted air quality analysis
- Changed phase in May 2023
- New Fiscally Constrained Phase: 3
Old Fiscally Constrained Phase: Not Phased
Vineyard Connector (H20)
- Corrected Project
- New Limits: Orem 1600 N to Geneva Road
Old Limits: Orem 1600 N to Vineyard Main Street - New Width: 5 lanes
Old Width: 3 lanes - New Cost: $70,200,000
Old Cost: $15,700,000 - Remains Phase 1 fiscally constrained
- Financial Justification: Legislative Appropriations from 2023/2024 to pay debt service frees up planning funds for future TIF-eligible projects
Pioneer Crossing Operational Improvements (H35)
- Updated Project
- New Limits: Mountain View Freeway to I-15
Old Limits: Redwood Road to Lehi 300 E - 1 new lane in each direction from MVC to Redwood Rd., reversible lanes from Redwood Rd. to 1-15
- New Fiscally Constrained Phase: 1
Old Fiscally Constrained Phase: 2 - No cost change ($77,000,000)
- Funding: TIF Reallocation
FrontRunner Double Track
- New Project
- Various sections (see map)
- Cost: $280,000,000 (Utah County portion)
- Phase 1 fiscally constrained
- Maintains planned 15-minute service
- Financial Justification: Legislative Appropriation ($133m and $25m), assumed federal grant funds
Point of the Mountain Light Rail
- New Project
- Draper FrontRunner Station to Triumph Boulevard
- Cost: $315,000,000 (Utah County portion)
- Phase 2 fiscally constrained
- The long-term solution for Point of the Mountain transit
- Supersedes BRT project in RTP (T12)
- Funding: The previous POM BRT project in RTP was removed from the plan with the new study. Freed up $210M in planning funds for phase 1 and 2 transit projects. A portion is assumed bonding in Phase 2 for transit
Point of the Mountain Bus Rapid Transit (T12)
- Removed Project
- Superseded by the Light Rail project
- Frees up $210,000,000 for RTP assumed funding
AMENDMENT 1 AIR QUALITY CONFORMITY REPORT
Any change to MAG's RTP — TransPlan50 — that might increase vehicle air pollution must undergo testing to ensure the additional emissions do not exceed limits set by the State Division of Air Quality (DAQ) with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
This testing is completed using the latest EPA-approved air quality model, an updated Travel Demand Network including all the proposed changes, and input from other air quality agencies. The result is the Air Quality Conformity Report below.