Hatman,
I do agree with the information you laid out.
With this:
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2) Interesting that the Davis County line is still considering BRT. Due to the length of the project, and considering the roads it will need to use, it will almost certainly be an 'enhanced bus service'. Probably start at the U, go down 200 South to downtown, then turn up at 300 West or 400 West and follow state routes up into Davis County. I like improved bus service. A high frequency bus service with descent stops and a special brand of its own is 80% as good as BRT (imo).
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I do hope that SLC works with UTA and builds it along 4th West and SLC helps pay for center running lanes - BRT style between North Temple and the 3rd West merge. This will help keep the buses running smoothly and the infrastructure would be in place for a future upgrade from Enhanced Bus to BRT. I don't see UDoT allowing this type of infrastructure along 3rd West, plus with the housing along 4th, this would continue to encourage the increased density that has been taking place.
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5) Then they talk about the study around the Point of the Mountain, which we have discussed here before.
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I have heard that we will eventually be getting both the East and West alignment. East first to fulfill the States obligation to Adobe and the West as that will most likely be announced as the local preferred alternative.
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7) Double tracking the FrontRunner. This needs to be the #1 construction priority for UDOT/UTA at the moment, IMO. But unfortunately it sounds like they are still working on 'strategic double track,' aka lengthening sidings instead of connecting station pairs with a second track. I get so depressed reading about this 'strategic' plan. What wasted potential.
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I think we all agree with this. It needs to happen completely before any extension is begun. This is key to not only lowering traffic congestion on I-15 but also to helping to clean the air.
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8) I dislike the idea of extending the Red line from Daybreak east to connect with FrontRunner. There is no rail ROW, and there is hardly the ridership to justify such a hugely expensive decision. Get a decent bus going along that route - maybe even a BRT with dedicated lanes! - and then, if that isn't enough, THEN you can bring up LRT. Not before.
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I am not a fan of the 126th South alignment that the State has been pushing for extending the Red line east. I would prefer a dedicated ROW if they want this to connect to the prison redevelopment area. Otherwise, I would prefer that the Red line be extended into Saratoga Springs and follow a new ROW next to Pioneer Crossing in Lehi. It can connect to the Blue Line extension in American Fork. The Red Line could even have a stop at American Fork frontRunner station.
They could even just have both the Blue and Red lines loop here rather than having stubbed ends. While this is more expensive, I think that ridership and the redevelopment possibilities are better while also allowing for faster train speeds.