The Utah Transit Authority is holding an open house tonight to discuss possible changes to its airport TRAX line, including a new route and station locations.

The open house will be from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the conference center at the Utah State Fairpark, 155 N. 1000 West. UTA will also be answering any general questions about the airport line, such as its construction time frame and $290 million cost.

The meeting will "give the general public a chance to come out and give feedback and express their concerns," said Chad Saley, a UTA spokesman on the airport line.

Current plans for the line call for it to begin at the former Delta Center Station, travel north on 400 West until North Temple, and then travel west on North Temple to the airport. But UTA is looking to possibly adjust the route and have it begin at the Salt Lake City Intermodal Hub, located between 200 and 300 South and 600 West. The route would go north down 600 West and then head west on North Temple to the airport.

Other changes proposed to the route include an adjustment at the airport to bring the line closer to terminals and then a slight adjustment along North Temple to remove a tight turn the trains will navigate.

Saley said Wednesday that UTA was studying the route adjustment because of the recent construction of the intermodal hub. Owners of The Gateway also are concerned that running the line down 400 West would block access to the shopping center, he said.

The original route for the airport TRAX line was designed in 1999. It was supposed to be an extension of the TRAX line to the University of Utah, but problems with financing delayed construction.

With the addition of the intermodal hub to its transit system, UTA is hoping to create a central location where people can catch a UTA bus, TRAX, or commuter rail — including a TRAX ride to the airport, Saley said.

In addition to the route change, possible adjustments to stations are being considered. Current plans call for four stations along North Temple, and one at the airport.

UTA gave no details about the possible adjustments. But if changes are made, either to the route or stations, UTA officials said it would not likely impact the construction time frame for the TRAX line. Work on the line could begin as early as 2009, and may be finished in 2012 or 2013.

Funding for the TRAX line is coming as result of a quarter-cent sales-tax hike approved by Salt Lake County voters last November.

If you go. . .

What: UTA open house about airport TRAX line.

When: Today, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Where: Conference Center at the Utah State Fairpark, 155 N. 1000 West, Salt Lake City

---

E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com