Mountain View Corridor Transit Project
Project Overview
Mountain View Corridor (MVC) is a comprehensive project with 33 miles of highway and 24 miles of transit improvements, as well as segments of the corridor trail system. It will be built in concurrent phases. The Phase I transit project is center-running fixed-guideway Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) that runs 5 miles from 2700 South to 6200 South and includes 6 stations. Extending the route as mixed-traffic service along Lake Park Boulevard and express to downtown Salt Lake City best ensures a successful project. The project cost for the Phase I transit component is estimated at $100M.
Project History
The Mountain View Corridor Project’s story is one of interagency cooperation, broad public involvement, integrated land use, highway, trails, and transit planning, and interjurisdictional coordination. It is the result of a long-term cooperative relationship between UTA, UDOT, MPOs, local communities, and environmental groups.
The highway and the transit system have been planned jointly through the Growth Choices process. The Growth Choices process, facilitated by Envision Utah, brought together diverse stakeholders to develop a common vision for transit, roadway and land use on the west side of the valley. A Vision Agreement, which included the proposed transit and roadway project, was signed by the participants, and has resulted in updated master plans, changing land use codes, and new ordinances.
Through the partnering process, municipalities have identified areas with significant redevelopment potential along the transit corridor and adjacent to proposed transit stops, and are refining economic development strategies that will take best advantage of multimodal public transportation investments.
Metropolitan Area Significance
This project will act to help relieve congestion on state and locally owned highways on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley. This line intersects with 3 BRT lines and 2 LRT lines that are planned, under construction, or currently operating. The Mountain View Corridor Project links key regional destinations, such as the airport and downtown, to the fastest-growing region of Utah’s most populous county.
Project Readiness
NEPA work was conducted on all modes for the project, and FHWA signed a Record of Decision for the highway component. FTA is now leading an Environmental Assessment in conjunction with UTA to evaluate the Phase I BRT project, and how it may differ in areas such as traffic and noise impacts from the Phase 3 build-out that was evaluated in the MVC EIS.
Job Creation
It is anticipated that this project would create immediate jobs developing final design with significant program management, construction, and construction management jobs within 6 months. After construction the project will provide permanent operations and maintenance jobs. Redevelopment along the corridor offers ancillary employment growth potential to sustain the region’s economy in the long term.
Innovative Delivery Approach
UTA has a long history of developing projects and innovative design and construction approaches resulting in delivery of quality projects on time and within budget. When funded, the project will move forward as an owner controlled design build or CMGC process. Currently design has been completed to a 30% level. Some early construction work has been completed with the construction of a park-and-ride lot served by local bus and BRT on a cross street.
Quick Facts
- Cooperative highway and transit project mitigates a projected 365% increase in congestion by 2030.
- $100M project cost for the Phase I transit component.
- There is $230M in current roadway funding and an additional $500M just approved in the 2009 legislative session. Nearly $50M in land donations has been received for the highway component.
- Timeline - Park-and-ride lots could be advanced to support bus service and carpooling. Project construction could begin in 2011 and be substantially complete in 2014.
- Phase I alignment generates 9380 riders to the route, and 4100 new transit riders.
- FHWA Record of Decision for the project is complete.
Submit A Comment
Joing our Mailing List