Project Overview

July 2009

The Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC), Salt Lake County’s metropolitan planning organization, and the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) have identified the need for a high-capacity transit option in the southern part of Salt Lake County. This transportation solution will maintain mobility and meet the long-term travel needs of the growing region as outlined in the 2030 Long Range Transportation Plan developed by WFRC.

UTA, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Transit Administration (FTA), 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 to the southernmost part of Salt Lake County. Included in the study will be a two-track extension of the existing UTA North-South Light-Rail Transit (TRAX) line from its current terminus at 10000 South in Sandy to about 14600 South in Draper along the UTA-owned right-of-way.

The study area for the project is about 26.5 square miles and begins at the current end-of-line 10000 South station of the UTA North-South Light-Rail Transit (TRAX) line. It is generally bounded on the north by 10000 South and extends to 14600 South on the south. It is generally bounded on the east by 1300 East and a line 1 mile east of the UTA-owned railroad right-of-way, on the south by a line 1 mile south of 14600 South, and on the west by the western Draper city limits and the Jordan River. The study area is located primarily in the cities of Sandy and Draper and includes parts of White City, South Jordan, and Bluffdale. See Map

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, 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.

The project team evaluated several possible alignment alternatives for the line: 1) along a UTA-owned right-of-way (the former Union Pacific Railroad right-of-way), 2) along State Street, and 3) west of I-15. The project’s Alternatives Analysis report can be found here

After extensive study, the project team selected the UTA-owned right-of-way as the preferred alternative to be analyzed in detail in the EIS. Subsequently, the WFRC formally adopted the UTA-owned right-of-way as the locally preferred alternative and identified a minimum operable segment (MOS) extending from 10000 South in Sandy to 12400 South (Pioneer Road) in Draper as the first phase of the financially constrained plan. Extension of the line beyond the MOS to 14600 South is envisioned for the future phases of the project as funding becomes available.

The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) is anticipated to be completed in Summer/Fall 2009. As part of the DEIS and during the study period, there will be opportunities for interested and concerned citizens to provide input and feedback on the project. To stay informed on opportunities to comment on this project or provide general questions or comments, please click here