WFRC director outlines Olympics working group, federal recertification, and office and staffing updates

WFRC Executive Director Andrew Gruber used his Jan. 22 report to summarize several organizational items: WFRC’s role in the emerging 2034 Olympics transportation working group, results of a USDOT/FHWA certification review, a favorable lease extension, staff recognition and the launch of a redesigned WFRC website.

Gruber said UDOT is leading an Olympics transportation working group that includes WFRC, Mountainland Association of Governments, Utah Transit Authority, Park City Transit and several legislators. He said the working group will focus on timing and operations for projects that already appear in regional plans and emphasized WFRC’s goal of ensuring legacy benefits from investments made now for the 2034 Games.

Gruber announced that the four‑year USDOT/FHWA certification review concluded with a recertification of WFRC, and quoted the final report praising WFRC’s "continued excellence in metropolitan transportation planning and interagency coordination," noting the organization as a national best practice example.

He also reported that WFRC negotiated a 10‑year lease extension with favorable terms (a reduced rent escalation clause to about 1.5% and tenant improvement allowance timing that lowers near‑term payments). Gruber recognized longtime staff member Susie Swim for 20 years on the analytics team and introduced a refreshed WFRC website designed to improve access to the Wasatch Choice Vision, TIP, RTP and maps/data for members and the public.

Gruber closed by soliciting interest in regional field trips and highlighting upcoming events including a Feb. 26 WFRC 101 webinar and the council’s next meeting on March 26, 2026.