Ernie Willmore, development director for the Bridge Investment Group, is worried about increased traffic along 600 West and blocked visibility from homes. If the TRAX line is run along 600 West, UTA would need to build a bridge to move the rail line over Union Pacific and commuter-rail lines that run near South Temple.

The bridge could be as high as 35 feet, and would stretch along 600 West from 100 South to North Temple.

"That's a big structure that will be one more divisive element that separates the central business district from people on the west side," Willmore said.

Willmore's company is building a four-story, 295-unit condominium complex along 600 West, right where the TRAX line would run and the bridge built. Willmore is concerned the bridge will be high enough that train riders could look into condo windows.

UTA spokesman Chad Saley admits there are few differences in terms of cost and travel times between the 400 West and 600 West alignments. But his agency is leaning toward the 600 West option, because it would connect to the hub and create fewer traffic problems than 400 West.

When asked whether UTA was influenced to favor moving the TRAX route by Boyer Co.'s $10,000 donation, Saley gave conflicting answers. "I guess you could say that," he said. "It seems like it's kind of a stretch, but obviously the referendum helped us."

Later, he said: "There is no conflict," and described a lengthy study process that UTA uses to determine where to build a rail line.

"Someone giving money to a (ballot) referendum has nothing whatsoever in deciding our alignment," Saley said.

Jon Robinson, a resident along 600 West, believes UTA should study other alternatives. "I think there's a better way to manage this," Robinson said about the route adjustment.

One possibility is to rebuild the North Temple viaduct and run TRAX down the center of the structure. The viaduct, which carries North Temple over the Union Pacific rail tracks, begins at 400 West and ends at 600 West. A station could be built on top of the viaduct, with stairs leading underneath to connect with commuter rail, which will run just under the bridge.

On Sept. 12, the Salt Lake City Planning Commission will have a public hearing about the route adjustment. No recommendations are expected until October, after which the Salt Lake City Council must decide whether to approve moving the route for the airport TRAX line.

UTA will also accept public comments about the route change until it makes a decision about the issue. Comments can be submitted at: www.rideuta.com, or by calling: 743-3882.

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E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com