TO: Board of Trustees
THROUGH: Carolyn Gonot, Executive Director
FROM: Mary DeLoretto, Chief Service Development Officer
PRESENTER(S): Manjeet Ranu, Director of Capital Development
TITLE:
title
Downtown Salt Lake City TRAX Extensions and Connections Study
end
AGENDA ITEM TYPE:
Discussion
RECOMMENDATION:
Informational item for discussion
BACKGROUND:
In late 2020, Salt Lake City and its Redevelopment Agency (RDA) approached UTA seeking input on potential extensions and connections of TRAX light rail transit service in the western area of downtown, inclusive of the Granary District. This information was requested to support RDA efforts to redevelop, reinvest and revitalize that area of downtown. The Wasatch Front Regional Council’s Regional Transportation Plan identifies potential projects that consider TRAX service in the western area of downtown. Prior studies were also considered. To understand a reasonable range of options for planning purposes, UTA prepared a feasibility study (Attachment 1), with input from Salt Lake City, its RDA and certain private sector investment interests, as well as the University of Utah, all of whom were invited to participate by the City and its RDA.
DISCUSSION:
The feasibility study established five goals to reflect the desired objectives of a downtown TRAX extension. Based on those goals, it identified and evaluated three scenarios for extending and connecting additional TRAX service downtown. The feasibility study is largely qualitative in its scope and is adequate for defining the parameters of a potential project to be subsequently developed and evaluated. No modeling nor substantial engineering was undertaken. As such, a preferred scenario or project cannot be selected based on this feasibility study. Project development is needed. Each of the three basic scenarios include design options and all contemplate the addition of new east-west service between Salt Lake City International Airport and the University of Utah. Two scenarios involve different approaches to realigning the Red Line to the west via the “Ballpark Spur” and 400 West rail corridor and then back to 400 South. One scenario takes the Green Line along this corridor and then north to resume its current alignment to the airport. Land use, urban design and placemaking concepts were also suggested for tying together and strengthening Salt Lake Central, with its relatively diffuse collection of transportation modes.
ALTERNATIVES:
N/A
FISCAL IMPACT:
The five-year capital plan would need to be amended with funding sources that have yet to be identified to advance into the project development phase for an estimated amount of $3 million to $4 million in current year dollars. Full capital cost estimates to deliver a project and annual operating costs are described in the report. These costs are unfunded.
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Downtown Salt Lake City TRAX Extensions and Connections Study