Frequently Asked Questions

1. When will TRAX be coming to Draper?
   
   The Draper transit corridor is currently in the environmental study phase, a key step in the process for securing the federal grants needed to build a light rail extension further south into Sandy and Draper. Once this process is complete and funding has been secured, UTA will begin construction work on the new line. Although a timeline for completion has not yet been established, the new extension is expected to be complete and in service no later than 2015.
   
   
2. Has the TRAX alignment already been determined?
   
   No. Until the environmental study has been completed, submitted to and approved by the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the route alignment and transportation mode are not final. UTA is currently preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to evaluate the extension of fixed guideway light-rail transit service through the cities of Sandy and Draper. The study compares three different alignments extending TRAX from its current terminus at 10000 South in Sandy to about 14600 South in Draper: 1) west of I-15, 2) along State Street, and 3) the existing UTA-owned right-of-way. It also evaluates different transportation models, such as extended bus service, bus rapid transit service, and the light rail extension.
   
   
3. When will the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) be completed?
   
   The draft EIS is expected to be completed in late 2008 and the revised final EIS completed in early 2009.
   
   
4. When will I be able to comment on the EIS?
   
   A public comment period and public open house will take place in conjunction with the release of both the draft EIS and final EIS. The documents will be made available for review on this website and at public locations in the community. During the public comment period, the public will be invited to comment in writing via the Internet, mail or in person at the public open house. 
   
   
5. What is the locally preferred alternative (LPA)?
   
   In preparation for the EIS, studies of the area have included a Transit Alternatives Study and a Scoping report, which were conducted to identify a locally preferred alternative (LPA), to look at mobility, growth patterns, cost-effectiveness, environment and land use, and preferred transit technology – Bus Rapid Transit, street car transit, extended bus service and light rail. After thoroughly studying the impacts of each alternative, light rail was the preferred technology of choice, and a locally preferred alternative was identified as UTA’s right of way extending from 10000 South to 12400 South Pioneer Road. This conclusion was made by WFRC, Draper city government and residents, and UTA. In October 2006, the Draper City Council voted to recommend the LPA. This statement of preference does not limit the scope of the environmental study, which will compare the LPA with alignments along State Street and West of I-15.    
   
   
6. What is the Draper Line Community Involvement Committee?
   
   The Draper Community Involvement Committee (CIC) is a committee is comprised of seven residents of Sandy or Draper who have a shared focus on the Draper Line and represent a broad range of perspectives regarding the project. The committee meets every other month and is open to the general public. The primary goals of the committee are to 1) work with the project team to understand how the environmental study process ultimately defines the final transit project, 2) objectively discuss proposed transit project alternatives and the related impacts of those alternatives, 3) discuss the environmental analysis process and how impacts are addressed, and 4) bring community issues and concerns to the project team and share information back to the communities.
   
   
7. What will happen to the bike trail if TRAX follows the UTA right-of-way?
   
   The trail will be preserved should a TRAX extension be built along the UTA-owned right-of-way. The right-of-way is wide enough to accommodate a double-track light rail system and a pedestrian-bicycle trail. The trail currently exists because of a provisional lease agreement between UTA and Draper.
   
   
8. Can noise be successfully mitigated?
   
   In areas where allowable noise thresholds are exceeded, special mitigation measures can be used to suppress and reduce noise to levels to equal existing ambient noise levels or meet acceptable ranges as prescribed by the Federal Transit Administration. These acceptable levels are within two decibels above ambient noise. In the EIS, UTA will conduct a detailed noise analysis. Once the impact analysis is completed, any areas where noise exceeds acceptable standards will receive special treatment to reduce or eliminate the impact.
     

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