Salt Lake Transit News Thread

[Makid]

I think it would be good to have Light Rail down the middle of 5600 west.

I feel that on the west side of the MVC, they should have a West Side commuter rail system that could go from the Eagle Mountain area, north along the Oquirrhs/MVC and then west along I-80 and then connect to the intermodal hub.

This could put trains on both sides of Utah Lake eventually as well as a link for a future Tooele commuter rail line.

This is mostly a dream but would be nice to see.

[Future Mayor]

My estimation is that the rail in the middle of 5600 W will probably travel faster than rail on downtown streets. The speed limit for vehicles is faster on 5600 W than downtown, there's also substantially fewer cross streets to have to stop at. From the proposals I've heard and from BRT in other cities and usually Traxx downtown, the only stops are at the designated stops. The train or bus (brt) gets signal priority at all stop lights.

Even if light rail only went 40-45 mph on 5600 W and did not stop at lights, it will be much faster than driving, especially as traffic increases on that road.

What is the proposed end point for light rail on 5600 W, will it go all the way north and join with the airport line? Will it veer towards downtown and join with the 2100 S WVC line?

As for the commuter rail on the west of MVC, that's an interesting idea to say the least.

I definitely like the idea of having commuter rail come in from Tooele county, that would alleviate a obvious problem in the future of I-80 around the mountain only be able to widen maybe one more lane in each direction.

[Makid]

5600 West line is more or less an Airport line extension that would run down to around 90th south.

That was the last alignment that I saw on the WFRC website.

[RC14]

I think we could use some type of mass transit from Salt Lake to Park City.

As for the 5600w TRAX line, coming from one who rides TRAX to school often I realy hate how it takes me twice as long to get from the millcreek TRAX station to LDSBC by TRAX as it dose to get from my home in West Valley to LDSBC by car. There is no way I would take TRAX from Magna to Salt Lake going 25mph most of the way.
I think that TRAX should be the quickest route no matter how good or bad the traffic is, not just in bumper to bumper traffic.
I use to realy like TRAX but that was before I started riding it, now I feel so stupid riding it sence it's pointless. I can get to school in 15min by car but it takes me about 40min if I drive to the TRAX station and nearly an hour by bus. The way understand it, even with the West Valley TRAX line(and i'm still looking forward to it) the way it is proposed it would still take me alot longer to get downtown by TRAX then by car.
I'm not saying we shouldn't have TRAX, I think it's better then nothing, but I still think more people would ride it if they had some reason to do so besides the fact that it's politicly correct.
As long as TRAX stays on it's own right of way it's fine, but it the middle of the street it can be very frustrating. I understand how having TRAX down the middle of the street makes downtown more pedesrtrian friendly, and i realy like that about TRAX.
I propose we keep the lines that are already in place and build the West Jordan and Draper lines the way they are planed. I think considering SAlt Lake's size, coast and the fact that the right of way is already there for these lines they probubly are the best form of mass transit. The airport and WEst Valley lines will probubly do ok but if money was no issue they should be replaced with subway or Elevated rail that would connect into the Sandy/Salt Lake TRAX line. However I do understand that money is an issue and this probubly can't happen. Where I think we can do something is in the case of MAgna. I like the idea of a commuter rail line going along the West side of the valley, i think that would be the best thing to do for that city sence it is so far away from down town.

P.S. Sorry for such a long post, I realize you probubly did not want to read all that. I just wanted to point out a few things I have notice while riding TRAX.

[delts145]

Davis family shuns car, takes the bus

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695228898,00.html

The Davis County bus system is commuter-oriented and places little emphasis on people who want to go to a neighborhood shop or the gym, she said.


Elizabeth Merrell and daughter Eliza, 3, travel by UTA bus from their home in Bountiful to Weber State. The entire Merrell family now relies on buses for transportation. (Tom Smart, Deseret Morning News)
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[Makid]

Well, it is official now. Rails over roads for SL County.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695231136,00.html

After a month of debate about the legality of a vote last year to fund three rail lines with taxpayer-approved dollars, the expanded Salt Lake County Council of Governments on Monday voted a second time to fund TRAX and commuter rail — and the group says the vote is final.

For the Utah Transit Authority, the vote means the agency can continue with plans to build the rail lines, according to Mike Allegra, assistant general manager. The vote also allows the agency to keep a $570 million agreement with the federal government to help pay for construction, he said.

[Makid]

Utah County,
Bus rapid transit a few years off

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_7568203

When it is built, Utah County's bus rapid transit (BRT) system will be the state's second.
Utah Transit Authority spokeswoman Carrie Bohnsack-Ware said UTA plans to have a 10-mile BRT along 3500 South in Salt Lake County linking Magna to the north-south TRAX line at the Millcreek Station.
Once that project is done next year, she said, UTA will begin working on Utah County's BRT.
Transportation officials had hoped to bring bus rapid transit (BRT) to Provo by 2009. Now it looks like the system won't arrive until a year or two later.

[Future Mayor]

Originally Posted by Makid

Well, it is official now. Rails over roads for SL County.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695231136,00.html

What a relief that is. Stick that in your pipe and don't smoke it Senator Valentine.

[Future Mayor]

Rail project gains momentum
S.L. County pledges sales tax to UTA


http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_7577690

[delts145]

City Council questions west-side TRAX route
UTA wants planned airport line to forgo station near businesses on 2200 West


http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_7667495

It's a question of either whisking travelers and airport employees from Salt Lake City International into the city or turning abruptly and stopping for a moment to serve more employers and hotels.


.

[delts145]

I-80 Reconstruction and Expansion - Switching the flow

http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_7674274


Operator Mark Allen drives the "Zipper Machine" to increase the amount of lanes for traffic eastbound on I-80 at the beginning of the rush-hour afternoon. The "Zipper Machine" is travelling westbound as the moveable barrier gets shifted over the two-mile stretch between the 1300 E overpass and the State St. overpass. (Scott Sommerdorf/The Salt Lake Tribune)

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[WASDEN]

Originally Posted by delts145

City Council questions west-side TRAX route
UTA wants planned airport line to forgo station near businesses on 2200 West

I've always felt like the benefits of a station at that location (2200 West) outweigh the cost of a few seconds en route to the airport. North Temple is the one TRAX extenision that I feel will most benefit the city and the Wasatch Front at large. I hate parking at the airport or calling somebody to pick me up. Not surprising that Soren Simonsen, who is probably the most insightfull and progressive member of the city counsil, is championing this issue.

[delts145]

OK looms for TRAX route

400 West realignment is likely to get the nod tonight

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695235112,00.html

Score one for the west side.

Tonight, the Salt Lake City Council will likely approve a 400 West alignment for the segment of the new airport TRAX line instead of a route along 600 West originally proposed by the Utah Transit Authority.


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[delts145]

Originally Posted by delts145

City Council questions west-side TRAX route
UTA wants planned airport line to forgo station near businesses on 2200 West


http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_7667495

It's a question of either whisking travelers and airport employees from Salt Lake City International into the city or turning abruptly and stopping for a moment to serve more employers and hotels.


.

Deseret Morning News Graphic

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[delts145]

Originally Posted by WASDEN

I've always felt like the benefits of a station at that location (2200 West) outweigh the cost of a few seconds en route to the airport. North Temple is the one TRAX extenision that I feel will most benefit the city and the Wasatch Front at large. I hate parking at the airport or calling somebody to pick me up. Not surprising that Soren Simonsen, who is probably the most insightfull and progressive member of the city counsil, is championing this issue.

I very much agree with you WASDEN, The North Temple route is one of the most anticipated routes for me. The 2200 West stop would be extremely important for the growth and prosperity of that specific neighborhood.

UTA plans open house on Draper TRAX line

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695235113,00.html

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[WASDEN]

I realize that the cost of any publicly funded project should never be over looked, but the North Temple TRAX line is not one where we should seek cheap alternatives. No doubt that when TRAX finally runs down the middle of North Temple, that street will experience a rebirth just like 400 South. But I am concerned that a separate viaduct for TRAX over rail lines at 500 west will "short change" this gateway to our city. I am ecstatic that the city council favors the 400 West alignment over the 600 West alternative. That mistake would have created another viaduct dividing and darkening a unique downtown neighborhood. With The 400 West alignment we not only avoid an extraneous viaduct, we have the opportunity to shorten one by a WHOLE BLOCK! And we all know what shortening the viaducts did for the West Side. The North Temple Viaduct should be rebuilt as a part of this project- touching down at 400 West and receiving TRAX up its center. At the apex of this new bridge a link to commuter rail should be established- facilitating seamless transit from Front Runner to the airport. This will require additional money, but it is the right thing to do for downtown. The North Temple bridge should be rebuilt in such a way that it is iconic and tasteful, welcoming travelers into our city. Routing TRAX on a separate viaduct along side of North Temple robs us of this one time opportunity, threatens the historic Salt Lake Hardware building if routed on the North side, and robs the Gateway of prime development space if on the South. Lets not miss this chance and do it right the first time.

[ski_steve]

Originally Posted by WASDEN

I realize that the cost of any publicly funded project should never be over looked, but the North Temple TRAX line is not one where we should seek cheap alternatives. No doubt that when TRAX finally runs down the middle of North Temple, that street will experience a rebirth just like 400 South. But I am concerned that a separate viaduct for TRAX over rail lines at 500 west will "short change" this gateway to our city. I am ecstatic that the city council favors the 400 West alignment over the 600 West alternative. That mistake would have created another viaduct dividing and darkening a unique downtown neighborhood. With The 400 West alignment we not only avoid an extraneous viaduct, we have the opportunity to shorten one by a WHOLE BLOCK! And we all know what shortening the viaducts did for the West Side. The North Temple Viaduct should be rebuilt as a part of this project- touching down at 400 West and receiving TRAX up its center. At the apex of this new bridge a link to commuter rail should be established- facilitating seamless transit from Front Runner to the airport. This will require additional money, but it is the right thing to do for downtown. The North Temple bridge should be rebuilt in such a way that it is iconic and tasteful, welcoming travelers into our city. Routing TRAX on a separate viaduct along side of North Temple robs us of this one time opportunity, threatens the historic Salt Lake Hardware building if routed on the North side, and robs the Gateway of prime development space if on the South. Lets not miss this chance and do it right the first time.

I am one that will submit a proposal of a new north temple viaduct. It will be shorter, its what the city wants. And it will have to be rebuilt, that has been confirmed.

It will be the North transfer point for commuter rail, a northern hub, while the Intermodal Hub is the southern one for Utah county trains. We are designing it so that it will be a cultural hub and a new gateway for Salt Lake. A civic and cultural space to enjoy.

It will also start closing the divide between east and west. Pedestrian and bicycle on top, and the commuter space below. We also want a structure under the bridge as well, with things there so it will begin to pay for itself.

Just a bit of what we are doing, im not sure how much I should tell of what we are doing. But I might reveal more later. If you have any comments just tell me, we are looking for more ideas, or things you think that it needs.

[SLC Projects]

Originally Posted by delts145

Deseret Morning News Graphic

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is it me or does the salt lake international trax stop seem to be too far on the west side of the airport away from the front. Seems like the better way is to have the trax line stay on the main road and have the trax station right at the front doors.
Just my two cents.

[urbanboy]

That location will be where the new front doors are when the new airport is completed.

[delts145]

Vote on TRAX route to airport is delayed

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695235363,00.html

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