From Deseret News archives:

Vote on TRAX route to airport is delayed

Published: Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2007 12:26 a.m. MST
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West-side residents once again made it clear: They don't want light rail running along 600 West.

More than a dozen west-siders spoke during a public hearing Tuesday night, restating to members of the Salt Lake City Council their opposition to an alignment proposed by the Utah Transit Authority that would run the airport TRAX line along 600 West instead of 400 West.

"We are very passionately in favor of the airport TRAX line on 400 West," said Tiffany Sandberg, one of about 40 residents at the meeting who wore homemade badges calling for a "yes" vote on the resolution to set the alignment.

The council had been scheduled to vote on the resolution following a briefing on the project from UTA and the public hearing. Both the briefing and vote were put off, however, "due to the need for additional information and time for more extensive review," according to a council statement.

That puts the decision about the airport line alignment in the hands of a council that will have two new members — Luke Garrott (District 4) and JT Martin (District 6) — when it next meets on Jan. 7.

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The location of the intermodal hub and business developments in the area prompted UTA earlier this year to begin studying whether to move a segment of the airport TRAX line from 400 West to 600 West.

The 600 West alignment made sense to UTA officials because it would create a direct connection with the intermodal hub, cost about $12.5 million less and have less negative impact on traffic, said spokeswoman Carrie Bohnsack-Ware.

West-siders have been opposed to the idea, largely because the 600 West alignment would necessitate a new viaduct over the Union Pacific and commuter-rail lines that run near South Temple. They argue that the alignment would hurt views from their homes, increase traffic and crime, and contribute to perceptions that physical and sociological barriers exist between Salt Lake City's west and east sides.

Residents would like to see the North Temple viaduct completely rebuilt to allow the TRAX line to run down the middle of the bridge.

Members of the City Council have said they see the merits of rebuilding the viaduct, but they're concerned about the $40 million it would add to the price tag.

The existing North Temple is still in good enough condition that it would not qualify for federal funding assistance, Councilman Carlton Christensen said.

Mickelle Weber was one of the few residents who spoke in favor of the 600 West alignment, saying it would benefit the entire state, not just one community, by creating a direct route between the downtown intermodal hub and the airport.

In other City Council business Tuesday:

Recent comments

So what if it cost more. Just go with 400 West. $40 million? It's...

Dan | Dec. 12, 2007 at 1:55 p.m.

Rebuild North Temple Viaduct fot TRAX. We should not have to wait for...

Anonymous | Dec. 12, 2007 at 11:35 a.m.

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