Everyone who lives in the Cache Valley understands the frustration of having to drive through Sardine Canyon. Sometimes its traffic, other times its harsh winter weather. As the valley’s population grows, congestion on this vital corridor will as well.
The last regularly scheduled passenger train passed through Cache Valley in 1997, it did not stop. Amtrak had cut the stop in Cache Junction years prior, citing a lack of traffic. Now Boise and Salt Lake City have teamed up to bring back the Pioneer.
When this route returns to service, we must ensure that the Cache Valley gets the train station it deserves.
There are many ways this could work, the cheapest would involve having the train stop in Cache Junction. A new route operated by CVTD could serve the train station via Newton and Benson. Alternatively, with deserved investment from the state, the line could be connected directly to Logan by connecting and upgrading an existing branch line from Preston to Logan. From there new track could be built to connect the line back to Cache Junction.
Amtrak’s Pioneer is just the beginning. Governor Cox has expressed interest in a statewide rail system. Trains operating several times daily between Cache County, Salt Lake City, and beyond would greatly benefit everyone in the valley. College students wouldn’t have to jump through hoops to figure out how to get to the airport, the elderly wouldn’t have to drive to medical appointments in Salt Lake, families wouldn’t have to risk their safety on icy roads to visit relatives.
Nathan Strain
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