TRAX is About to Take Flight

Here in Utah, we’re humble people but with so many great things happening in the Beehive State, sometimes it’s a little difficult not to sound a little boastful—especially when it comes to TRAX and FrontRunner.

As president of Utah’s largest business association, I often meet with leaders of large organizations including chambers of commerce from surrounding states. There are many times when we discuss the various projects our organizations with which we are involved. Frankly, at times it’s almost embarrassing to stand and list the myriad of amazing things taking place.

The Downtown Rising vision continues to progress. Last week I attended a major event to announce the site of the Utah Performance Center. City, state and community leaders were on hand to support the project in one of many examples of our community coming together in a way that is unique to our area—all to enhance our enviable quality of life here in Utah.

Yesterday morning, we took another step forward.

UTA broke ground on the Airport TRAX line that is a major component of the FrontLines 2015 project and a signature project of Downtown Rising. The line will run six miles as part of the FrontLines 2015 project which will build 70 miles of rail in 7 years. Once again, community leaders turned out to herald a significant step forward for our community.

Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker wants our capital city to become what he refers to as a, “Great American City.” Strengthening our mass transit system is an essential part of that goal; great cities have a transit connection between the downtown area and the airport.

Mass transit is about connecting our community. When the FrontLines 2015 project is complete, our state will be connected as never before. It is realistic to think that an airport employee could live as far away as Ogden or Provo and make the commute to the airport by taking a bus to the local FrontRunner station, connect to the Airport TRAX line and step off the train at the terminal. The new Airport TRAX line will run to the end of terminal one, allowing passengers convenient access to both major terminals in the airport’s current design. The TRAX line will also serve as a key component of the eventual improvements to the airport.

The line will benefit, not only the thousands of people employed at the airport but those who live along the Wasatch Front who will soon have the choice of driving to and parking at the airport or taking the train.

Business benefits from the Airport TRAX line in a number of ways, most obviously from the increased ability to host the thousands of convention attendees who will have an easy route between the airport and downtown without causing any parking issues. These visitors eat in our restaurants, shop in our stores and stay in our hotels contributing millions of dollars to our local economy.

The Airport TRAX line will run along North Temple which helps restore that street to a grander boulevard status. It’s not difficult to imagine the eventual economic impact on businesses that surround the stations along the new line of rails. Additionally, many businesses will be drawn to the area west of downtown and east of the airport for its easy access to both.

The FrontRunner system will be further strengthened by the Airport TRAX line. Already the commuter rail line has vastly exceeded expectations carrying more passengers on the average Saturday than were originally expected Monday through Friday, with weekday ridership more than 30 percent higher than anticipated. UTA has already broken ground on the FrontRunner south line which will extend service to Provo.

On behalf of the Chamber, I applaud the efforts of Mayor Becker as well as Speaker Greg Curtis who has been a major proponent of the expansion of our mass transit system dating back to the special legislative session called in late summer of 2006 to pass Proposition 3, the legislation that funds a major portion of this project. The Business community greatly appreciates the cooperative manner in which the city, county and state governments work to make Utah a great place to live, work and do business.

The Rail-volution contines.