And it will get worse.

That is inevitable as more people move to Utah's urban core.

Congestion costs the average Salt Lake-area commuter 17 hours a year, transportation planners say. And if roads are not widened or light rail extended, that delay could top 50 hours annually by 2030.

Those planners are trying to mitigate the congestion doldrums with an expansive $46 billion proposal that could cut the expected delay in half, or by about 25 hours, if every project were to be completed.

The long-range plan released Friday by the Wasatch Front Regional Council would include more light rail lines, create a Mountain View Corridor without tolls and widen freeways, including Interstate 15 in the south and I-80 in the east.

"We are looking ahead more than we have ever before," said Chuck Chappell, council executive director.

The council, which serves Salt Lake, Weber and Davis counties, released its draft plan in conjunction with Utah County's transportation planners' at Mountainland Association of Governments. They are now seeking public comment.

These groups are formed by local government leaders and are vital because no project can move forward if it is not on the regional plan, which is revised every four years.

Chappell said transportation engineers focused on reducing time wasted in transit when drafting the latest version.

There is one major obstacle standing in the way.

"We have less money than we need," said Darrell Cook, Mountainland executive director.

The planners have made several funding assumptions.

First, they assume state lawmakers will raise the gas tax by 5 cents in 2016 and then again in 2026.

Then the counties would have to approve a quarter-cent sales tax increase in 2016 and then again in 2026.

On top of that, lawmakers would have to divert to transportation all of the sales tax collected on car and auto-part sales. That money now goes to pay for general government expenses.

But all those assumed increases still wouldn't be enough.

"We need to be optimistic but also realistic about what funds will be available in the future," Chappell said.

Federal funding has declined in recent years, placing more pressure on state and local governments.

Rep. Wayne Harper, R-West Jordan, is the chairman of Utah's Transportation Appropriations Committee.

He expects legislators to raise the gas tax at some point but said it is politically difficult, if not impossible, when the state is rolling in surplus cash.

He also isn't sure the gas tax is the best way to fund transportation projects. As cars become more fuel-efficient, the state will collect less tax from each motorist.

"There will need to be other options to fund these projects," he said.

That's why Harper isn't ready to reject tolling on Mountain View Corridor or an expansion of Legacy Highway or any other new highway.

Many of his colleagues at the Legislature, particularly those who represent the west side, are adamantly opposed to tolling commuters on Mountain View.

Chappell said that under this plan they can avoid charging motorists. To do so, the road would start with only four lanes instead of the eight lanes originally planned.

The regional plan also calls on the state to buy land along the Mountain View route, located in the 5600 West area, for a possible public-transit line.

For Utah County, expanding I-15 is the No. 1 project. The first phase will take place between Lehi and Utah Valley University. Cook expects construction to begin in 2011, just about the time commuter rail will make its way to Provo.

The Utah Transit Authority will wrap up the first phase of the FrontRunner train from Pleasant View to downtown Salt Lake City in mid-2008. The next phase will begin later this year.

"We hope to be riding the trains by 2011 to 2012," Cook said.

This is all part of UTA's "70 in 7'' plan. UTA plans to build 70 miles of rail in seven years, including light-rail extensions to the airport, West Jordan and South Jordan, Draper and West Valley City.

The long-range plan also hints of spurs stretching all the way to Provo.

mcanham@sltrib.com

Express your views

Transportation planners are asking the public to comment on the draft plans. They are available on the Web.

* Plans for Salt Lake, Davis and Weber county - www.wfrc.org

* Plans for Utah County - www.mountainland.org