If the light-rail connection between the Delta Center and the Intermodal hub were not built, UTA would have to use shuttle buses to ferry Davis and Weber County commuter-rail passengers from the Intermodal Hub to the light rail line, Jones said.

UTA is willing to build the line without doing street improvements, thus saving the city most or all of its $8.5 million, Jones said.

Anderson's administration is asking the council to allocate $1 million from its capitol improvement budget for the project this year and then $1.75 million for 2005 and 2006. Also the administration wants $4 million from the Redevelopment Agency, some of which has already been allocated.

The goal, Baxter said, is to spread the cost out over a few years so the city doesn't take such a large hit at once.

Baxter notes that part of the street improvement costs, along 200 South, are scheduled to be done anyway so the city is just moving the project up to coincide with light-rail construction. Also, the city needs to move sewer and water utilities from underneath the potential TRAX lines so they can be accessed in the future.

The council will likely decide whether it will approve the initial $1 million funding request August 24. If the council denies the request, Baxter said the administration will likely return with a larger request next year.

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E-mail: bsnyder@desnews.com