The S-Line streetcar could soon be moving riders every 15 minutes thanks to the Salt Lake County Council that voted to provide $4.5 million to “double track” a portion of the line in South Salt Lake.

The money from Salt Lake County, along with funds allocated by the federal Congestion Mitigation Air Quality program, would be enough to get the project off the ground and provide for at least four years of extra operational and maintenance costs. The total cost of the project is expected to be approximately $6 million.

“We are grateful to the Salt Lake County Council for approving these funds to double track the S-Line, making streetcar service more accessible to everyone traveling in South Salt Lake and Sugar House,” said Jerry Benson, UTA’s President and CEO. “This is such a vibrant area of our community and with development increasing at a fast pace, going to 15 minute frequency should provide increased ridership.”

S-Line streetcars currently run on a single track from the Central Pointe TRAX station to Fairmont Station at 1040 East. The new funding would allow for the line to be double-tracked in South Salt Lake between 300 and 500 South, allowing streetcars to pass by each other in the middle of their route on the go, increasing the frequency of trips from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes.

Currently, the system requires one S-Line streetcar to pull onto a side track and stop, while another streetcar moves past it.

Some approvals still need to be acquired and with design and utility work, construction could begin in early 2019.

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