A good transit decision

Deseret Morning News editorial
Published: Monday, Dec. 25, 2006 10:30 p.m. MST
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Kudos to the Salt Lake County Council for deciding to follow the will of the people in deciding how to spend money from a new quarter-cent sales tax for transportation.

And shame on some state lawmakers who act as if they are going to retaliate against the county for its decision.

Opinion polls have been consistent and clear. When county voters approved the tax hike in November by a 64-36 percent margin, they believed they were voting for rail transit. Specifically, they wanted TRAX lines extended quickly into as many parts of the valley as possible, and they wanted commuter rail, or FrontRunner, built through the county and hooked to a planned spur in Utah County. Lawmakers, insisting much of the money instead should go toward roads, established a criteria formula that would have funded only two TRAX lines and commuter rail.

However, the County Council showed some moxie last week by voting to spend most of the expected money from the tax, upwards of $2.5 billion, on rail. That would build commuter rail and TRAX spurs to West Valley City and South Jordan, and it would free up other tax money to build spurs to Draper and the Salt Lake International Airport. Improvements also would be made to I-80, State Street and 1300 East.

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The council's decision may go down in history as a ground-breaking boost for transit. Once the rail lines are completed, Salt Lake County will have a functional rail system that, together with much smaller and more efficient bus routes, will allow most people in the valley to travel about without a car.

The two existing TRAX lines already have demonstrated how popular light rail is, with its reliable and frequent service. Add commuter rail to the mix and people soon will be moving quickly throughout the multicounty metro area in relaxing comfort, regardless of the weather.

It's a shame some lawmakers haven't caught this vision, and that they would choose to ignore a voter mandate. Some have said they may not vote to give any additional funding to road projects within the county, despite Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. recommending $449.7 million for transportation.

If the economy continues to boom, the sales tax may bring in enough to do much more than build rail. Other funds may be available, as well. The overriding goal should be to help people move quickly through a growing metro area, not to settle political scores.

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