Information AboutUta Trax |
| CATEGORIES ABOUT UTA TRAX | |
| 1999 establishments | |
| light rail in the united states | |
| salt lake city, utah | |
| utah railroads | |
train at the Gallivan Plaza stop in Downtown Salt Lake City ]] TRAX is a two-line Light Rail system in Utah 's Salt Lake Valley , serving Salt Lake City , South Salt Lake , Murray , Midvale and Sandy . The system, as well as a network of Bus routes serving the Wasatch Front , are operated by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA). The first line, running from the Delta Center in Salt Lake City south to the Sandy Civic Center , was completed in 1999 . The second line, the University Line, opened in 2001 , running from approximately the Gallivan Plaza east to Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University Of Utah . The line was extended to the University Medical Center in 2003 . A line extending from Murray to the Daybreak Community in South Jordan is slated to begin construction in 2007 and finish by 2009 . Widespread support of TRAX has led to many funds being allocated to the system. Both the University Line and its extension to the University Medical Center were completed ahead of schedule. A number of lines have been proposed for the near future, and although most of these proposed lines have yet to be officially approved, support is mostly favorable for continued expansion of the system. HISTORY Light rail in the Salt Lake Valley was originally proposed the early 1990s to provide an alternative to traffic congestion on I-15 , but the idea was met with much criticism. Despite little public support, UTA acquired an underutilized Union Pacific railroad corridor and continued planning, although funding for the project was quite uncertain. After Salt Lake City won the bid for the 2002 Winter Olympics in 1995 , UTA leveraged the city's host status to accelerate the process of obtaining funding through the Federal Transit Administration (FTA). Construction began in 1997 , but the groundbreaking event was marred by loud protesters, who insisted that light rail would be both dangerous and a waste of money. Public opinion remained divided, and businesses on Main Street in downtown Salt Lake City suffered during the construction period. After the North-South Line opened in late 1999 with 16 stations, ridership expectations were quickly met. To the surprise of many, the system was enthusiastically embraced by valley residents and once-skeptical communities soon began clamoring for extensions. Funding for the University Line allowed it to be completed in 2001 with 4 new stations, ahead of schedule and in advance of the Olympics. An extension to the University Medical Center that added 3 new stations was completed in September 2003 , 14 months ahead of schedule. An infill station at 900 South was constructed in 2005 , and a second infill station, at 9400 South, is currently under construction. The new line and the two new stations will bring the total number to 34. On July 7 , 2005 , the Mid-Jordan Line was approved for construction and it is expected to be completed by 2009 . As was the case with the two existing lines, federal funds have been requested. This line will branch off from the North-South Line in Murray , crossing into Midvale , West Jordan , and ending at the Daybreak Community in South Jordan . UTA explored the option of a street-running route through historic Midvale and serving the Jordan Landing development before reaching the Daybreak Community; however, a route using an existing rail corridor was selected, which has a lower cost and allows a simpler environmental review and construction process. Current plans call for nine new stations on the line. Several other lines and an extension have been proposed for the future, including extending the North-South line south into Draper , a line to Salt Lake City International Airport , and one extending into West Valley City near the E Center and Valley Fair Mall . A TRAX spur into the Salt Lake City Neighborhood of Sugar House has been contemplated; however, a private effort led by Douglas White to introduce "streetcar" service using historic trolley cars along this route is currently underway. {Link without Title} TRAX STATIONS Park-and-Ride facilities are not provided at the University Line stations, with the exception of University South Campus Station, which shares the TRAX system's only structured parking garage with the University LDS Institute . Park-and-Ride facilities are planned for all of the Mid-Jordan Line stations. SEE ALSO
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