[4] An interchange with the Tooele Army Depot was built in 1943 providing further traffic along the branch.

[2][9] The project was backed by Utah governor Spencer Cox and representatives John Curtis and Chris Stewart, but concerns were raised by the Environmental Protection Agency due to the railroad's proximity to wetlands near the Great Salt Lake.

[15][14] Permission was granted by the STB for the Savage Tooele Railroad to begin construction from its connection with the Union Pacific to the Lakeview Business Park in April that year.

[17] Public open houses were held for the project on June 25 and August 19 in Erda and Grantsville, where local residents requested the railroad operate their grade crossings as a quiet zone.

[3] The railroad denied this request noting the projected train frequency of a single train a day didn't justify equipping grade crossings through Erda with the equipment necessary to operate as a quiet zone.