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TO: |
Board of Trustees |
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THROUGH: |
Jay Fox, Executive Director |
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FROM: |
Mary DeLoretto, Chief Service Development Officer |
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PRESENTER(S): |
Hal Johnson, Manager of Project Research and Development |
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TITLE:
title
R2022-07-03 - Resolution Authorizing an Amended and Restated Agreement with the Utah Department of Transportation for the Mountain View Corridor Project Implementation for Phase I Transit
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AGENDA ITEM TYPE:
Resolution
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve Resolution R2022-07-03 that Amends and Restates the Mountain View Corridor Interlocal Agreement with the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT).
BACKGROUND:
In 2008, UDOT completed a Record of Decision (ROD) for the Mountain View Corridor (MVC) project to construct a freeway in the western portion of Salt Lake County. The planned roadway would be built in phases and eventually connect from I-80 into Utah County. This project also included a transit element.
The 2008 ROD committed to a phased implementation approach for the Selected Alternative. Under the phased implementation approach as defined in the 2008 ROD, UDOT committed that it would not proceed with Phase 2 of the roadway component (except in a few designated areas) until Phase 1 of the transit component was complete and in revenue operation. Phase 1 was initially envisioned as a bus rapid transit (BRT) line that would ultimately be converted to light rail by Phase 3. UTA entered into an accompanying Interlocal Cooperation Agreement with UDOT. In this original contract, UTA agreed to assume responsibility for the transit component.
UDOT started construction of the MVC roadway component of the 2008 ROD’s Selected Alternative in 2010 and is ready to advance phase 2. However, UTA has not implemented the Phase 1 transit improvements of the 2008 ROD’s Selected Alternative because (1) the funding is not available and (2) the local municipalities have not implemented the transit-supportive land use that would be consistent with the MVC Growth Choices process approved by the Cities.
Additionally, the WFRC Regional Transportation Plan (RTP) has changed and no longer includes a light rail or BRT line in the 5600 West corridor. In the 2007-2030 RTP, corridor preservation for a future BRT/light rail was included as a phase 1 project. Various BRT projects were included on 5600 West in the 2011-2040 RTP, with the unfunded project to implement rail in the corridor. The 2015-2040 RTP recommended BRT in the corridor However, the updated 2019-2050 RTP supports an Express Bus mode in the corridor. UTA has been working with UDOT to update the agreement for the MVC transit project implementation.
DISCUSSION:
Because Phase 1 transit (BRT service on 5600 West) is not in revenue operation and there is no realistic expectation that UTA will implement BRT service on 5600 West in the foreseeable future, UDOT and UTA developed a Refined Selected Alternative for Phase 1 transit implementation that addresses the MVC’s purpose. Phase 2 and 3 transit and project implementation will be addressed after the Phase 1 elements are fully implemented; they were not part of the EIS Re-evaluation. Phase 1 transit now is an Express Bus service along the existing 5600 West and North Temple roadway travel lanes from the Old Bingham Highway TRAX station to downtown Salt Lake City. This change will allow transit to be implemented more cost-effectively.
ALTERNATIVES:
If UTA does not approve this Agreement, UDOT will not be able to move forward with roadway improvements.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Per the agreement: “UTA will assume responsibility for the operations of the Locally Preferred Alternative, subject to the securement of operations and maintenance funding.” UTA is also working on securing grant funds for the capital portion of the project.
ATTACHMENTS:
Resolution R2022-07-03