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  4. UDOT Rail Division

UDOT Rail Division

The purpose of UDOT’s Rail Division is to oversee and improve safety for transit systems and all public highway-rail grade crossings. 

To achieve these purposes the Rail Division:

  • Administers Diagnostics.
  • Inventories every public crossing in the state every three years.
  • Manages rail related standard drawings, specifications, and special provisions.
  • Assists project teams with agreements and railroad coordination.

The Rail Division also administers UDOT’s Federal Section 130 funds, State Railroad Crossing Safety Grants program, and the Rail Ombudsman.

See the Diangostics section below to request a new grade crossing, modifications to existing grade crossings, or closure of a crossing.

Report a blocked or rough crossing directly to the Railroad Company using the Railroad Company links.

Brad Palmer, P.E.
Rail Division Director
Email:  bgpalmer@utah.gov
Office: (801) 965-4535

Rail Division Mailing Address
Utah Department of Transportation
Attention: Rail Division
P.O. Box 143200
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-3200

Statewide Railroad Engineer


Megan Leonard, P.E., PTOE
Statewide Railroad Engineer
801-965-4923, mleonard@utah.gov
    Tyler Schmidt, P.E.
    Diagnostic Engineer
    801-965-4924, tylerschmidt@utah.gov
      Madeline Francisco-Galang, P.E.
      Rail Projects Engineer
      801-965-4925, mgalang@utah.gov
        Rail Programs Diagnostics Rail Manuals Authority Helpful Links

        State Safety Oversight (SSO)


        Peter Jager, P.E., PTOE
        State Safety Oversight Program Manager
        801-910-2191, pjager@utah.gov
          Vacant, P.E.
          State Safety Oversight Officer
          xxx-xxx-xxxx, @utah.gov
              State Safety Oversight Manuals
                UDOT SSO Procedures and Standards
                  Authority Helpful Links

                  Railroad Companies

                  Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) Utah Transit Authority (UTA) Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway (BNSF) Savage Bingham & Garfield Railroad Salt Lake Garfield & Western Railway (SLGW) Owned by Patriot Rail Utah Central Railway (UCRY) Owned by Patriot Rail Utah Railway Owned by Genesee & Wyoming (G&W) Heber Valley Railroad Amtrak