Salt Lake Transit News Thread

[i-215]

The new bill would make the split about 78-22, although both would get tens of billions more than last time.

I don't care about the percent so long as roads gets "tens of billions more than last time." More for transit, and more for roads? Sounds good to me!

[delts145]

Wow.... You can really tell that road construction is gearing up in the north end of Utah Valley now. A pictoral update of everything now underway would be huge. The major overhaul and expansion of the east/west 92 and the north/south 4800W is a major undertaking. FrontRunner, the massive I-15 overhaul and everthing going on from Lehi to Provo is going to create allot of reason for me to head north for a while, instead of south. It might even get to the point where it would be better for me to access Salt Lake from the Traverse Ridge pass. I think Highway 92 is going to be a nightmare. I'll definately avoid it during commuter hours, although, I'm glad to see it happening. It's all going to be a very impressive update, when finished.

Fortunately, Alpine, Highland and Cedar Hills have made many commercial improvements over the past five to ten years. One scarcely has to travel more than 5 minutes to meet most of their family needs anymore.

We're even getting a new Chase bank, which will open in a few weeks. Now, I pretty much have no reason to go to American Fork anymore, except for Golds Gym. Even that will end, because of the big Newport Gym coming soon.

[TonyAnderson]

Originally Posted by delts145

Wow.... You can really tell that road construction is gearing up in the north end of Utah Valley now. A pictoral update of everything now underway would be huge. The major overhaul and expansion of the east/west 92 and the north/south 4800W is a major undertaking. FrontRunner, the massive I-15 overhaul and everthing going on from Lehi to Provo is going to create allot of reason for me to head north for a while, instead of south. It might even get to the point where it would be better for me to access Salt Lake from the Traverse Ridge pass. I think Highway 92 is going to be a nightmare. I'll definately avoid it during commuter hours, although, I'm glad to see it happening. It's all going to be a very impressive update, when finished.

Fortunately, Alpine, Highland and Cedar Hills have made many commercial improvements over the past five to ten years. One scarcely has to travel more than 5 minutes to meet most of their family needs anymore.

We're even getting a new Chase bank, which will open in a few weeks. Now, I pretty much have no reason to go to American Fork anymore, except for Golds Gym. Even that will end, because of the big Newport Gym coming soon.

I was driving around the Happy Valley this weekend and you're not kidding! Road construction and detours galore. Going from Lehi to Saratoga Springs was like being in a corn maze.

To be honest I hate the traffic and ways roads are in Utah Valley. So many boulevard / windy type roads, with numerous lanes, strange intersections, and always packed with cars. Salt Lake's much more straight and grid-like which is great. Logan as well.

[cololi]

http://www.northtempleboulevard.com

[aspiringArchitect]

So I was looking through the link cololi posted above and I came acroos the historic preservation section. I saw it mentioned a specific mansion in the area and I was curious to see what the rest of the area looked like. As most people would think, I was expecting to see a wealthy, leafy neighborhood. But no, when I typed in the adress in bing, this is what came up!

So how does an entire neighborhood of big beautiful homes get bulldozed for a highway and industrial wasteland? Why out of all the places available in the valley did the developer (or whomever) have to have this spot? It just makes no sense.

And how did this single house manage survive?

[i-215]

Originally Posted by cololi

http://www.northtempleboulevard.com

I won't settle for anything less than an elevated, limited-access, high-speed viaduct with direct ramps to the 215 freeway.

I believe a "grand boulevard" will actually hurt the city's core.



Right now the "core" is struggling to fill existing space along Main Street. If we add a "new" Main Street along North Temple, we'll only add to the lack of pedestrian vitality.



Dun dun DUH! I call it "empty Main Street urbanized sprawl decentralization!" When one half-filled Main Street, becomes two quarter-filled Main Streets.

I say we put a nice ugly high-speed transit corridor through there, complete with freeway deck and let that part of town stay ugly. That way it makes Main Street more valuable. And the most important part, I won't have to throttle down from the 45 MPH I currently enjoy along there.

[cololi]

You are going to be dissappointed then. You are going to get a center loaded double track LRt line with at grade crossings. The impact on downtown is a major concern of the City and I don't think the city is trying to make a new "main street". I think the tone of "grand Boulevard" has been reduced, as most people involved in the process seem to understand this is not going to be a boulevard.

But, one goal of the project is to make the street less of a car oriented street. Sorry, but you will have to "throttle down" from 45 to 30. There is no reason why all of the City can't look nice.

[skyguy414]

Originally Posted by i-215

I won't settle for anything less than an elevated, limited-access, high-speed viaduct with direct ramps to the 215 freeway.

You realize there is already a large, multi-lane freeway two blocks south and parallel of North Temple, right? Why would they build another?

I wouldn't liken the North Temple Grand Boulevard to Main Street. I don't think that is what they are going for at all. I would liken it more to 400 S but with better overall design, taste, and walkability.

[East2Westback]

Originally Posted by skyguy414

You realize there is already a large, multi-lane freeway two blocks south and parallel of North Temple, right? Why would they build another?

I wouldn't liken the North Temple Grand Boulevard to Main Street. I don't think that is what they are going for at all. I would liken it more to 400 S but with better overall design, taste, and walkability.

More walkability is such a key for any city to be worth coming to. Present
a flattering quality that maintains an SLC style and the city becomes a must
visit.

One thing that really adds to a downtown are small parks. inserted in key areas. This would be valuable in SLC because those blocks are tediously huge and to walk around the block is a venture...unless there are spots to sit and enjoy each area.

Not large but small islands in the ocean. It does wonders in NYC and they are usually fostered by strategic office buildings. I see it happening in SLC!

[WeST]

I hope change is slow and doesn't push out some existing businesses. North Temple was one of my favorite streets to be on when I was growing up. What would N. Temple be like without Blue Boutique, Red Iguana, Leathby's (Mormon bar), Wienerschnitzel and... um...uh...Econo Lodge. I was already devastated when we lost Hardees, I do think my soul could handle another.

[delts145]

Work begins on airport TRAX line

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/705327416/Earth-work-begins-on-airport-TRAX-line.html

Construction crews began heavy work Wednesday morning to build the six-mile light-rail track that will connect downtown to the Salt Lake City International Airport.

Workers for Stacy & Witbeck Inc. and Kiewit Western Co., which are working for the Utah Transit Authority on the $300 million project, are clearing away vegetation and stabilizing the grade over a wetlands area. The track will run on a combination of city and airport roads, as well as on land adjacent to roads, according to UTA plans...



A contractor with Stacy and Wilbeck Inc. move earth along Interstate 80 near Salt Lake City International Airport to make way for a Utah Transit Authority Trax line from Downtown Salt Lake City to the airport Wednesday, Sept. 2, 2009. Barton Glasser, Deseret News (Barton Glasser, Deseret News)

.

[WeST]

So does anyone know what the plans are for the area west of the airport and north of I-80 (Cololi)? The Wasatch Front Regional Council indicates in their master plan that TRAX should eventually be extended into that area. If it is TRAX I assume that there must be residential planned for it, but it seems like an area that could be a tough sell for home buyers. Also, how much of that land north of I-80 is habitable considering the changing levels of the lake, water tables and wildlife habitat?

[WeST]

What do people think of spending future LRT, trolley, and most BRT funds within SLC, SSLC, and maybe a few other cities. I think instead of trying to compete with the commuter function of freeways, they should focus on building a network that can then allow the establishment of much higher density in those cities. I think this would also be a cheaper and more effective use of the limited funds.

[cololi]

West:

That area is called the Northwest Quadrant. The City is currently reviewing a proposed master plan for the area that includes residential. It is a sticky subject, with the property owners wanting typical residential densities for new subdivisions and wildlife and environmentalists, duck clubs, etc wanting limited residential. There is a certain elevation (4412) that is the historic high level. the city is proposing that all residential construciton be above 4418 or some measurement above, meaning those areas that are not in the playa or in a wetland that can be built on would have to be raised.

the long term plan is to run trax out there and eventually connect to a north south transit line at 5600 West or some other point out there.

I think transit should first be concentrated in those communities that are willing to support high densities and intensities. If you don't want more density, you don't get mass transit.

[scottharding]

Originally Posted by cololi

West:

If you don't want more density, you don't get mass transit.

An emphatic amen.

[MetroFanatic]

Originally Posted by WeST

how much of that land north of I-80 is habitable considering the changing levels of the lake, water tables and wildlife habitat

I guess if somebody wants to risk living there and likely being the brunt of the speculated flooding when THE BIG ONE hits... then I'm sure they'll build homes there.

[WeST]

Originally Posted by MetroFanatic

I guess if somebody wants to risk living there and likely being the brunt of the speculated flooding when THE BIG ONE hits... then I'm sure they'll build homes there.

Now that I think about it there is ample evidence that people will live in marginal areas if it is priced right and in close proximity to desirable places. I think of North Salt Lake and Bountiful where housing developments have sprung up in areas that were never thought of as housing.

[goldcntry]

Originally Posted by WeST

Now that I think about it there is ample evidence that people will live in marginal areas if it is priced right and in close proximity to desirable places. I think of North Salt Lake and Bountiful where housing developments have sprung up in areas that were never thought of as housing.

You just described all major housing developments in North and South Sacramento in the last 20 years. The Feds finally stepped in and put a moratorium on all new building in the north area... until a judge suspended the order... And then people wonder why their new houses start settling... in what was a rice paddy just two years previous.

[WeST]

What do you think about installing these throughout the valley. It seems that this would provide more protection to bikers.

[DMTower]

all for it except the snow plows would destroy them