West Valley City seeks spot on UTA map

WEST VALLEY CITY — With all the news media hype recently over funding for the Mid-Jordan TRAX line, West Valley officials say they hope UTA remembers their light rail line as well.

"We have been supporting light rail for years in opposition to some other groups," said West Valley councilwoman Margaret Peterson, "and we have stood forward and made a commitment to this project. I don't think we should be left behind because a private company has put some money up front."

Peterson referred to Kennecott Land, who this week joined with the cities of Murray, Midvale, West Jordan and South Jordan in announcing they will help UTA pay half of the $3.2 million environmental impact study for the Mid-Jordan TRAX line. Officials with UTA say the team contribution could help to push the project up at least a year.

Kennecott Land officials have said the TRAX line is a key component in making their future Daybreak development a walkable community.

Peterson said UTA needs to keep in mind that West Valley has existing developments in immediate need for transit.

"We have developments existing. We have a lot of students who travel to the University of Utah," Peterson said.

"The existing ridership and needs are here now for sure," said West Valley City administrator Wayne Pyle, who added his city is also working with UTA to complete its $3 million environmental study for the West Valley TRAX line. Unfortunately, Pyle said, his city must come up with half of the funds on its own.

Mike Allegra, UTA chief capital development officer, said there shouldn't be an impression that UTA is ignoring West Valley.

"We are doing perhaps more work in West Valley City than almost anywhere else in this valley," he said.

Allegra pointed out that UTA is working with West Valley on a master transportation plan that will include a hub that TRAX would tie into near the current Valley Fair Mall. By next month, UTA will establish a bus rapid transit route along 3500 South.

"I would argue all of these projects are meritorious," Allegra said. "Yes, it's nice that Kennecott had some money and it had an effect, but we're not throwing West Valley City out because they don't have the money. We have a lot of other things going with them as well."

Pyle pointed out that not all of this is UTA's decision. Looking at Federal Transit Administration numbers, the federal government has given the Mid-Jordan line higher funding priority than the West Valley line.

Of course, the actual total funding for both light rail lines remains uncertain.

Allegra said Congress still has to approve complete funding for the lines. Half the funding must be matched by up to a half-cent sales tax increase by Wasatch Front voters in 2006. If voters pass the increase, Allegra said UTA will be in position to begin construction on both lines immediately afterward.

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