DEVELOPMENT OF LIGHT RAIL IN SALT LAKE CITY

In August of 1995, the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) and the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) signed a Full Funding Grant Agreement to construct a Light Rail Transit (LRT) line. Approximately 15 miles in length, the light rail system will operate along a major travel corridor from downtown Salt Lake City to the southern end of the valley. The LRT will provide 10-minute peak headways. Running in a freight railroad corridor, passenger service will be timed separately, with freight activities occurring only in the hours when the LRT is out of operation. There are 17 stations planned for the initial system. Twelve of these are suburban stations and five are in the Central Business District (CBD). All of the stations are center loading with ramps and mini-high block platforms to serve the disabled. The project is currently in the final design phase with design completion expected by December 1996. UTA proposes to begin early construction in calendar year 1996, with operation startup in the year 2000. Recently, Salt Lake City was selected to host the 2002 Winter Olympic Games. With LRT in place, UTA is expected to play a major role in meeting the transportation needs of this significant event. In keeping with UTA's low-cost management style, the LRT system will be designed and constructed with cost effective, off the shelf, service proven technology.