TRAX's bumpy past

• November 1992, local voters defeat a referendum for a sales tax increase for transportation, a portion of which would have helped build a light-rail system in the Salt Lake Valley.

• January 1993, UTA purchases a 23.5-mile railroad corridor from Union Pacific for $18.5 million for use as a future light-rail line.

• Summer 1995, Utah is awarded the 2002 Winter Games and, with an 80 percent match available from the federal government, UTA pursues construction of light rail.

• September 1995, renegade UTA board member Sam Taylor files a lawsuit against UTA, saying it is trying to build light rail "in total opposition to the will of the people."

• October 1995, at the urging of Sen. Bob Bennett, R-Utah, a House-Senate conference committee agrees to designate $9.8 million in federal dollars to begin light-rail planning and construction.

• December 1996, two citizen initiatives aimed at stopping or altering light-rail plans are rejected before they reach the ballot. A business group, meanwhile, urges UTA not to place light rail along Main Street in downtown Salt Lake City.

• January 1997, UTA's board of directors votes 11-2 in favor of placing TRAX on Main Street.

• April 1997, amid controversy over whether tax dollars should be spent on light rail, UTA breaks ground on the initial $312 million, 15-mile north-south line between Salt Lake City and Sandy.

• November 1997, a state lawmaker proposes a bill that would prevent UTA from placing tax referendums on the ballot.

• December 1997, UTA announces it can finish light-rail construction six months early.

• September 1998, 12 businesses affected by light-rail construction on Main Street sue for damages.

• December 1999, the initial TRAX line opens for free rides Saturday, Dec. 4, and begins regular service Monday, Dec. 6.

• November 2000, voters approve a quarter-cent sales tax increase for transit projects. In Salt Lake County, one-fourth of that increase would go to road improvements.

• December 2000, UTA initiates Sunday TRAX service.

• August 2000, UTA breaks ground on a 2.5-mile extension of light rail to the University of Utah's Rice-Eccles Stadium.

• December 2001, University line completed.

• May 2002, ground broken for 1.5-mile extension from Rice-Eccles Stadium to the University of Utah Medical Center.

• September 2003, Medical Center line opens.

• Current: UTA is retrofitting 29 used vehicles from the Valley Transit Authority in San Jose, Calif., for use on the TRAX system.

• Future: Additional extensions are planned for Salt Lake Valley suburban communities, as well as a spur to Salt Lake City International Airport, over the next 30 years.