Allow UTA to Commence TRAX Blue Line Extension Construction to 14600 South
Allow UTA to Commence TRAX Blue Line Extension Construction to 14600 South
The Issue
I am a resident of Sandy, UT, deeply concerned about the overgrown vegetation along the tracks in the southern part of our city. The former freight train corridor near Point of the Mountain and at the Porter Rockwell Trail where it passes over Bangerter Parkway is in dire need of attention. The potential for beautiful future views of Salt Lake Valley from TRAX in this area is currently overshadowed by environmental abuse and neglect.
The first phase of an extension of the Blue Line to Draper opened August 18, 2013. Construction on the extension began in 2010 as part of UTA's FrontLines 2015 project, which also includes the West Valley extension of the Green Line, the Mid-Jordan extension of the Red Line, the southern extension of the FrontRunner commuter rail line and the Airport TRAX Line (now part of the Green Line). The first phase of the Draper extension extended the line south from Sandy Civic Center Station to the Draper Town Center Station. Eventually, two more yet to be finalized stations are planned for further on down the line, one on Highland Drive at about 13800 South and the other on 14600 South just east of I-15 (EXIT 288).
The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) has plans to extend its TRAX Blue Line all the way to 14600 South at Point of Mountain. This extension would not only provide an efficient public transportation option for residents but also help manage and maintain this neglected area, enhancing its natural beauty.
According to a study by American Public Transportation Association (APTA), public transit can reduce congestion and improve air quality by reducing vehicle emissions. This extension could contribute significantly towards these benefits while providing residents with a reliable transportation alternative.
The Salt Lake City Southern Railroad (reporting mark SL) is a 25-mile (40 km) short-line railroadoperating between Salt Lake City, and Murray, in Utah, United States. The SL began operating on April 19, 1993, as a RailTex subsidiary. Today the SL is a subsidiary of the Utah Railway and is owned by the Genesee & Wyoming Inc.
The line was originally built between 1871 and 1872 by the Utah Southern Railroad. By March 30, 1872, the Utah Southern reached Point of the Mountain, which is the southern end of the Salt Lake City Southern Railroad at Mount. In the 1870s, the Utah Southern was constructing a 105-mile (169 km) line from Salt Lake City to Chicken Creek (Juab County). Brigham Young was listed as the railroad's president. In June 1875 financial control of the railroad was turned over to the Union Pacific Railroad.
On July 1, 1881, the Utah Southern was consolidated into the Utah Central Railway. The Utah Central was building a rail network from Ogden–Milford. By 1888 the Utah Central was an operating subsidiary of the Union Pacific Railroad.
On August 1, 1889, the Utah Central was consolidated into the Oregon Short Line and Utah Northern Railway, an operating subsidiary of the Union Pacific. On March 1, 1897, the railway was renamed the Oregon Short Line Railroad (OSL). The OSL, a UP subsidiary, was leased to the UP on January 1, 1936.
From 1936 to 1993 the Union Pacific operated the tracks as part of their "Provo Subdivision." In the 1990s the UP shifted its trains on the Provo Subdivision to the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad tracks between Salt Lake City and American Fork. The UP no longer needed the line between Salt Lake City and Mount (also known as Mound or Point of the Mountain).
RailTex acquired the line between Salt Lake City and Mount and began operations in 1993 as the Salt Lake City Southern Railroad. Today the Utah Transit Authority (UTA light rail) owns much of the track as part of their light rail right-of-wayacquisitions. UTA utilized the right-of-way for its TRAX light railsystem, and is used, at least in part, by all three of its TRAX lines (Blue, Green, and Red, but predominantly the Blue Line). The SL operates over the UTA tracks via trackage rights.
On September 30, 1999, the SL became a subsidiary of the Utah Railway.
However, construction cannot begin without any proper authorization. We ask local officials and relevant authorities to allow UTA's proposed construction project to begin promptly so that we can start reaping these benefits much quickly
Please sign this petition if you agree that it's time for action on extending TRAX Blue Line up to 14600 South at Point of Mountain to allow trail users to keep dogs on their leashes and horses on the dirt paths without ever getting fatally hit by a train
1
The Issue
I am a resident of Sandy, UT, deeply concerned about the overgrown vegetation along the tracks in the southern part of our city. The former freight train corridor near Point of the Mountain and at the Porter Rockwell Trail where it passes over Bangerter Parkway is in dire need of attention. The potential for beautiful future views of Salt Lake Valley from TRAX in this area is currently overshadowed by environmental abuse and neglect.
The first phase of an extension of the Blue Line to Draper opened August 18, 2013. Construction on the extension began in 2010 as part of UTA's FrontLines 2015 project, which also includes the West Valley extension of the Green Line, the Mid-Jordan extension of the Red Line, the southern extension of the FrontRunner commuter rail line and the Airport TRAX Line (now part of the Green Line). The first phase of the Draper extension extended the line south from Sandy Civic Center Station to the Draper Town Center Station. Eventually, two more yet to be finalized stations are planned for further on down the line, one on Highland Drive at about 13800 South and the other on 14600 South just east of I-15 (EXIT 288).
The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) has plans to extend its TRAX Blue Line all the way to 14600 South at Point of Mountain. This extension would not only provide an efficient public transportation option for residents but also help manage and maintain this neglected area, enhancing its natural beauty.
According to a study by American Public Transportation Association (APTA), public transit can reduce congestion and improve air quality by reducing vehicle emissions. This extension could contribute significantly towards these benefits while providing residents with a reliable transportation alternative.
The Salt Lake City Southern Railroad (reporting mark SL) is a 25-mile (40 km) short-line railroadoperating between Salt Lake City, and Murray, in Utah, United States. The SL began operating on April 19, 1993, as a RailTex subsidiary. Today the SL is a subsidiary of the Utah Railway and is owned by the Genesee & Wyoming Inc.
The line was originally built between 1871 and 1872 by the Utah Southern Railroad. By March 30, 1872, the Utah Southern reached Point of the Mountain, which is the southern end of the Salt Lake City Southern Railroad at Mount. In the 1870s, the Utah Southern was constructing a 105-mile (169 km) line from Salt Lake City to Chicken Creek (Juab County). Brigham Young was listed as the railroad's president. In June 1875 financial control of the railroad was turned over to the Union Pacific Railroad.
On July 1, 1881, the Utah Southern was consolidated into the Utah Central Railway. The Utah Central was building a rail network from Ogden–Milford. By 1888 the Utah Central was an operating subsidiary of the Union Pacific Railroad.
On August 1, 1889, the Utah Central was consolidated into the Oregon Short Line and Utah Northern Railway, an operating subsidiary of the Union Pacific. On March 1, 1897, the railway was renamed the Oregon Short Line Railroad (OSL). The OSL, a UP subsidiary, was leased to the UP on January 1, 1936.
From 1936 to 1993 the Union Pacific operated the tracks as part of their "Provo Subdivision." In the 1990s the UP shifted its trains on the Provo Subdivision to the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad tracks between Salt Lake City and American Fork. The UP no longer needed the line between Salt Lake City and Mount (also known as Mound or Point of the Mountain).
RailTex acquired the line between Salt Lake City and Mount and began operations in 1993 as the Salt Lake City Southern Railroad. Today the Utah Transit Authority (UTA light rail) owns much of the track as part of their light rail right-of-wayacquisitions. UTA utilized the right-of-way for its TRAX light railsystem, and is used, at least in part, by all three of its TRAX lines (Blue, Green, and Red, but predominantly the Blue Line). The SL operates over the UTA tracks via trackage rights.
On September 30, 1999, the SL became a subsidiary of the Utah Railway.
However, construction cannot begin without any proper authorization. We ask local officials and relevant authorities to allow UTA's proposed construction project to begin promptly so that we can start reaping these benefits much quickly
Please sign this petition if you agree that it's time for action on extending TRAX Blue Line up to 14600 South at Point of Mountain to allow trail users to keep dogs on their leashes and horses on the dirt paths without ever getting fatally hit by a train
1
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Petition created on May 15, 2024