Salt Lake Transit News Thread - Page 454

i-215 · #**9061** Posted **Aug 20, 2024, 9:06 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by bob rulz

I do like the idea of mass timber, if this is the direction this ends up going. But it's aggravating that UTA won't support the Rio Grande Plan when they would stand to benefit more than anybody from it.

Somebody has to convince them it's their idea. Then they'll support it (and say they *always* supported it).

The drawback is that they may take the idea in a direction the original designers hadn't intended (e.g., "Let's ELEVATE the tracks instead!"

)

kickback256 · #**9062** Posted **Aug 31, 2024, 5:41 AM**

The new South Jordan Downtown station on the red line is starting to take shape! First couple trackside concrete pours are done, utilities going in, the whole nine yards.

Paniolo Man · #**9063** Posted **Sep 9, 2024, 4:40 AM**

During a few UDOT/UTA meetings this year it has been mentioned that UTA/UDOT are in negotiations to purchase the Intermountain Power Project's Railcar Service Facility to serve as a light maintenance facility for Frontrunner when it is extended south to Payson. This facility is currently used to service IPP's massive fleet of coal hopper railcars that will no longer be needed when the Coal Plant closes and is replaced with natural gas/hydrogen next year.

I stopped by for a few pictures today. It'll be interesting to snap a few "after" photos in a few years.

It'll be interesting to see what they do with the track layout. Presently the facility is laid out to accommodate comically long cuts of coal cars, the sidings adjacent to the facility are ~2.5 miles long. IPP coal trains stretch to around 110 cars. I assume there will be some reconfiguration to make the facility more accommodating to passenger trains.

Paniolo Man · #**9064** Posted **Sep 10, 2024, 3:14 AM**

If you weren't already aware, there is a Rio Grande Plan event this Thursday:

Paniolo Man · #**9065** Posted **Oct 18, 2024, 7:13 PM**

UTA has chosen Stadler to replace their SD100 and SD160 Light rail vehicles.

Paniolo Man · #**9066** Posted **Oct 23, 2024, 4:04 AM**

Another great video by Hatman.

• Video Link

rockies · #**9067** Posted **Oct 23, 2024, 7:30 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paniolo Man

UTA has chosen Stadler to replace their SD100 and SD160 Light rail vehicles.

This seems pretty big if true. The link is no longer working for me.

What Stadler vehicles would be likely UTA likely replace them with? It will be cool to see something different

rockies · #**9068** Posted **Oct 24, 2024, 1:54 AM**

UTA enters $129M deal to phase out aging TRAX trains

Here is an article on the subject with photos. 20 new Stadler Citylink trains coming in 2028, with the option to purchase 60 more. This is the first large order of these trains outside of Europe so it is cool that Salt Lake will be probably the first/only place in the US with Stadler for light rail. I hope they are chosen for new frontrunner trains as well

MountainSkyline · #**9069** Posted **Nov 13, 2024, 2:43 AM**

Having both of these built would be a game changer for passenger rail in Utah!

RC14 · #**9070** Posted **Nov 13, 2024, 4:21 AM**

The RGP would be a game changer. This would be a wall.

MountainSkyline · #**9071** Posted **Nov 13, 2024, 4:52 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by RC14

The RGP would be a game changer. This would be a wall.

I definitely prefer the RGP to UTAs plan.

The UTA proposal is a good plan if the RGP funding falls through, it would be bounds better than what is currently there.

mattreedah · #**9072** Posted **Nov 13, 2024, 6:43 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by MountainSkyline

I definitely prefer the RGP to UTAs plan.

The UTA proposal is a good plan if the RGP funding falls through, it would be bounds better than what is currently there.

There is no RGP funding to even fall through. It doesn’t exist. It is a dream.

Atlas · #**9073** Posted **Nov 13, 2024, 4:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattreedah

There is no RGP funding to even fall through. It doesn’t exist. It is a dream.

The dream is still alive and just made it into the RDA's "Rio Grande District" vision yesterday.

i-215 · #**9074** Posted **Nov 17, 2024, 4:31 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattreedah

There is no RGP funding to even fall through. It doesn’t exist. It is a dream.

If proponents are serious, the need to meet for lunch with EVERY SINGLE old, suit-wearing white Mormon guy who occupies the State Legislature each January for a few weeks. I recommend Chuck A Rama.

As they devour white rolls and processed mashed potatoes, sell them on the economic development potential. And after meeting with like 80 of them, maybe like 8 or 9 will be excited enough to start talking about this in the upcoming session.

But short of a crapton of meet and talks, I just don't think it'll ever enter the stream of consciousness on Utah's Capitol Hill to actually fund it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlas

The dream is still alive and just made it into the RDA's "Rio Grande District" vision yesterday.

Not to pour water on the parade, but WFRC had a vision in the 1980s of building a freeway on the *back* side of the Salt Lake Airport from 56th West to I-215 in North Salt Lake.

Visions mean very little. You got to get it into WFRC's fiscally-constrained regional transportation plan. Then the state can fight for federal aid money and program state money toward it. And that means getting the regional council to vote to add it to the plan (members are mayors of all the different cities). Until then, it's just a dream.

I guess the question would be (if you met with every mayor in the valley) is... what's the RGP have that helps West Valley City? What's in it for West Jordan? Sandy? Draper? Herriman?

I like RGP. I want to see it happen. But without enthusiasm from the legislature, it's DOA.

Atlas · #**9075** Posted **Nov 17, 2024, 3:09 PM**

RGP is well known at the legislature and WFRC at this stage, and has bipartisan interest. Everyone is waiting for the Reconnecting Communities study to make a recommendation, which may take two years.

But hold on to your butts if RGP comes out with a positive recommendation there. The pessimism is really unwarranted at this stage.

RC14 · #**9076** Posted **Nov 18, 2024, 2:52 PM**

I realize the RGP still has a long way to go but the momentum is there. I also think the RGP has allot more grass roots support and enthusiasm then projects that typically make it into the WFRC's vision. I don't think many people would get excited about a freeway on the north side of the airport and environmental concerns would get in the way.
The RGP is going to have citizens and elected representatives pushing for it.

rockies · #**9077** Posted **Dec 3, 2024, 5:52 AM**

Latest great hatman insight: The Cottonwood Canyons and Holistic Planning

• Video Link

Also, the comment period for the Big Cottonwood Canyon study ends on Dec 13. Didn't even know this was was going on as they seem to have learned their lesson after last time. There is an easy comment submission form to submit a quick comment - and what a perfect video to inform you before hand! Thanks hatman!

Paniolo Man · #**9078** Posted **Dec 9, 2024, 7:08 PM**

Park City identifies four alternatives for a SR 248 transit solution

KPCW | Parker Malatesta | December 6, 2024

Paniolo Man · #**9079** Posted **Dec 26, 2024, 5:59 AM**

UTA's 5 used bilevels have arrived.

Paniolo Man · #**9080** Posted **Dec 27, 2024, 10:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Atlas

So I came across this today because it was just given $29 million by the legislature.

Brigham City will be building a giant car bridge over their quaint historic rail station on Forest Street. This station would presumably be where FrontRunner would eventually stop.

IMO, this will really stunt this area's potential for TOD.

Construction on this is underway and Brigham City has a live cam.

Looks like the bridge has been narrowed slightly and won't cover as much of the historic depot:

The future Frontrunner station will be located south of this site at a UTA owned property west of Box Elder High School.