Utah Department of Transportation’s The Utah Trail Network

In 2023, the Utah legislature passed a bill allocating $45 million in ongoing funding and $45 million in one-time funding to the Utah Department of Transportation to build, operate, and maintain a regional paved trail network. Given Utah’s recent and projected population growth, it became clear that transportation alternatives would be needed to meet travel demands in many communities statewide. Once completed, the network will provide comfort and reliability for pedestrians, cyclists, and scooter riders, establishing a regional trail spine with local connections where feasible. The creation of the Utah Trail Network aims to connect communities with a regional paved trail system across the entire state, separate from vehicle traffic, and accessible for various active travel modes. This initiative represents Utah’s first ongoing funding dedicated to non-motor vehicle travel infrastructure, prioritizing multi-modal access, and aiming to expand the active transportation network with fewer limitations.