UTA gets grant for Orem transit hub

OREM — The Federal Transit Administration has awarded the Utah Transit Authority $250,000 for the design and engineering of a new intermodal transit center in Orem.

The funds are part of a discretionary grant awarded to UTA for the development of transit centers along the Wasatch Front.

The Orem Intermodal Center will be completed prior to the opening of UTA's FrontRunner Provo-to-Salt Lake City commuter-rail line in 2012 or 2013, UTA said. The center will serve FrontRunner, UTA buses and a proposed bus rapid-transit line, which will connect Utah Valley University, BYU and downtown Provo.

The $10 million center is planned to include a Frontrunner station, 14 bus bays and amenities such as shelters, benches, bike facilities, ticket-vending machines and 400 parking stalls.

— Brice Wallace