Salt Lake City, UT — Streetcar Route Recommended

Rail Transit Online, October 2010

A year-long study of a proposed downtown streetcar has yielded a recommended 2.9-mi. (4.7 km) route costing up to $80 million.

According to consultants HDR Engineering Inc. and Pehr & Peers, the project should be built in two phases. The first 1.7-mi. (2.73 km) segment would run from the intersection of 100 South and 200 East to Salt Lake Central Station at approximately 600 West and 300 South. A 1.2-mi. (1.93 km) extension would travel south and east to the TRAX light rail station at 900 South. The line would increase business activity and encourage development by providing easy connections between portions of the central core and both light rail and commuter rail.

The consultant report makes it clear that much of the funding would have to come from the federal government, noting that more than $300 million has been awarded to streetcar projects under the Obama administration. "This changed environment makes the federal government a credible potential funding partner for the Salt Lake City project," stated the 72-page report.

The document suggests to city officials that they plan major downtown projects with an assumption that the streetcar will eventually be completed. Meanwhile, the Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency has submitted an application to the FTA seeking a grant for a more detailed study of potential alignments.