The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, also known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), authorized the Secretary of Transportation to establish the Corridor ID Program to facilitate the development of intercity passenger rail corridors. This program is a comprehensive intercity passenger rail planning and development program that will help guide intercity passenger rail development throughout the country and create a pipeline of intercity passenger rail projects ready for implementation.

In 2023, UTA partnered with officials in Idaho, Utah, and Nevada to submit two Corridor ID applications. The Pioneer Corridor (Boise to SLC) would restore a key segment of Amtrak’s former Pioneer Line between two of the fastest-growing cities in the U.S. The Pioneer Corridor application was submitted by the Idaho Transportation Department. The proposed Desert Wind (SLC to Las Vegas) service restoration parallels the I-15 corridor between Las Vegas and Salt Lake City. UDOT submitted the application for the Desert Wind Corridor.

Over 90 Corridor ID projects were submitted to the Federal Railroad Administration in 2023. The Pioneer Corridor (Boise to SLC) and Desert Wind Corridor (SLC to Las Vegas) did not receive the grant funding. Project partners are currently working on a strategy to prepare for the next round of grant funding. Check back for updates.