Envision Utah has conducted hundreds of public meetings where tens of thousands of Utahns have expressed their hopes for the future of our state. They repeatedly send a clear message: We need an efficient transportation system that provides more options for mobility.

As usual, the public is right. Utahns understand the link between transportation and other important values such as time with family, worker productivity, health, economic opportunity and natural beauty. As a region, we will benefit from accelerating completion of the road and transit projects proposed by our elected officials.

We are involved in an aggressive struggle with regions such as Denver, Phoenix and even Indonesia for jobs and economic opportunities. Notably, in 2004, Denver and Phoenix voters approved more than $18 billion to develop their transportation systems.

Unfortunately, Utah faces a transportation crisis. In the next 25 years, we will add 1.5 million people to Utah's population. Travel demand is increasing at nearly twice the rate of population growth. Without additional investment, congestion on the Wasatch Front will triple by 2030. Imagine what this would mean for business costs, worker productivity and quality of life!

To maintain Utah's status as the crossroads of the West, Envision Utah promotes a balanced transportation system of roads and transit. Automobiles will continue to be our primary means of transportation, and we will need highway expansion and more multiuse arterial streets. TRAX, commuter rail and other modes of transit are also critical components of Utah's transportation system. Last year, transit usage in Utah set records, with more than 36 million trips. During rush hour, when it's needed most, TRAX currently carries 43,000 passengers, roughly the same number of people that drive in a lane of I-15 during that same period. Increasing energy costs and changing demographics will spur even more demand for transit.

Transit leads to cleaner air, saves transportation costs, relieves congestion for those who drive, allows workers to be productive and safer during their commute, promotes the conversion of unproductive parking lots to new development, facilitates federal approval of highway projects and stimulates economic investment and vibrant land use near transit stops. Communities that provide convenient and reliable public transportation exhibit a competitive edge in capturing economic development and in attracting and retaining businesses and workers.

Our region's current transportation plan will fund highway projects, commuter rail and four TRAX extensions by 2030. Envision Utah joins many businesses and other organizations in calling for an accelerated schedule that would complete these projects by 2015. The longer we wait, the more expensive these projects will become. The Salt Lake Chamber of Commerce estimates that the cost of planned transit improvements will rise by $105 million to $210 million each year we delay. Moreover, we are competing with other states for limited federal transit funds. Delaying action will allow those states to obtain federal funds otherwise available to Utah.

Leadership is about recognizing challenges before they become crises, developing a sound plan based on long-term values, and acting decisively when circumstances are right. We recognize the coming transportation challenge. Local political and business leaders have a plan. Now we must take advantage of the current window of opportunity and act in the interest of ourselves and succeeding generations to fund major transportation improvements by 2015.

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Jerry Stevenson is the chairman of Envision Utah and former mayor of Layton. Alan Matheson is the executive director of Envision Utah.