West Valley TRAX Update

Image by wallyg via Flickr

Construction progress continues on the West Valley TRAX Line. To keep business and traffic impacts to a minimum, this five-mile project has been separated into seven construction “reaches,” or segments, for management and planning purposes. The map below shows each construction reach in a different color, starting with Reach 1 in light green on the south end of the project and ending with Reach 7 in dark green on the north end.

Currently, construction is taking place in all reaches.

A description of what is happening in each area is listed below. If you need further construction information, please call our toll-free 24-hour hotline at (888) 800-8854.

Reach 1

Reach Description: Reach 1 is the area along Constitution Boulevard (2700 South) from West Valley City Hall at 3600 South extending north to 3100 South. This area includes both large and small businesses, as well as many residents. Access to all business and residences will be maintained throughout construction. Current Construction: Preliminary construction continues as third party utility relocations take place on Constitution Boulevard in preparation for the beginning of TRAX construction in this area beginning in December. Upcoming Construction: Construction is scheduled to begin on 2700 West from 3500 South to 3100 South the first week of December. This work will mainly include utility relocations and will proceed along the side of the roadway. Impacts to motorists should be minimal when this work begins. As we get closer to construction, we will meet with all residents in this area to discuss how to minimize impacts. In conjunction with work taking place along Market Street for the bus rapid transit project, the intersection at Market Street and Lehmann Avenue has been temporarily closed. Traffic Impacts: Current impacts to motorists should be minimal at this time; however, there will be minor lane restrictions as utility companies work along Constitution Boulevard. As construction proceeds, we will personally visit with residents and businesses to keep them informed.

Reach 2

Reach Description: Reach 2 is the area along 3100 South from Constitution Boulevard to Decker Lake Drive. The E Center and a few other businesses are located in this reach, as well as residents on either side of 3100 South. Access will be maintained throughout construction and we will work with The E Center to coordinate our efforts so you can continue to visit the great events they have to offer. When TRAX is completed along 3100 South, it will operate on the south side of the roadway. Current Construction: A sewer tie-in was completed at The E Center on the south side of 3100 South. Utility pole relocation and other utility work on the north side of 3100 South have also been completed. Upcoming Construction: Construction is anticipated to intensify on the south side of 3100 South just east of Constitution Boulevard within the next couple of months. As we get closer to construction in this area, we will be in contact with the residents and schools to let them know more about how work will proceed. Work is also scheduled to begin near I-215 and 3100 South on Monday, November 17th. Some utility work is planned near The E Center in December. Traffic Impacts: Current impacts to motorists should be minimal because the majority of work takes place along the sides of 3100 South.

Reach 3

Reach Description: Reach 3 is the area along Decker Lake Drive from 3100 South to Research Way (2770 South) and running east to Redwood Road. This area includes many commercial office buildings with thousands of employees who access this area on a daily basis. We will continually work with these businesses to ensure access is provided at all times. Current Construction: Crews have completed the sewer line on the west side of Decker Lake Drive. Construction has now switched to the east side of Decker Lake Drive to begin work on the storm drain. This work is anticipated to take place throughout the next several months. Crews have also started to expose utilities along Research Way located at 2770 South just west of Redwood Road. Access is being maintained and impacts along Research Way should be minimal. Upcoming Construction: There will be a few temporary driveway closures along Decker Lake Drive in certain locations throughout the coming week to replace storm drains. However, access will be maintained to all businesses through alternate driveway approaches. We will work directly with businesses to provide notice and access. Construction is anticipated to take place along Decker Lake Drive throughout the next several months. Traffic is anticipated to switch again from the west side of Decker Lake Drive to the east side in January 2009. Traffic Impacts: · Traffic has switched to the west side of Decker Lake Drive with one lane of traffic operational in each direction, while access to businesses is maintained. Please be mindful of workers in this area and obey posted speed limits.

Reach 4

Reach Description: Reach 4 runs through the Chesterfield residential area along 2770 South and proceeds along the Decker Lake Canal and the Crosstowne Trail. We will work with residents in this area to ensure a safe working environment that provides access to their properties throughout construction. Current Construction: The majority of construction taking place on the West Valley Line is taking place in this area. Construction is on the east side of Redwood Road as crews continue to clear the way for TRAX on the north side of the Brighton and Decker Lake Canals and the Jordan River. Crews have created a corridor for TRAX that extends into Reach 5 and connects to the industrial area along 1070 West and are working with residents in this area to coordinate activities taking place along their backyards. Crews have reinforced a box culvert that runs along the Crosstowne Trail and have backfilled the area with dirt. Crews continue to install the foundations that hold the overhead wiring system for TRAX throughout the Chesterfield area. A permanent fence is also being installed just east of the Brighton Canal to the Khadeeja Islamic Center on Parkway Avenue. Work is also being done on a box culvert at the Brighton Canal. Upcoming Construction: Sound walls for the area located on either side of the Crosstowne Trail between Redwood Road and just west of the canal will be installed this month. Traffic Impacts: · The Crosstowne Trail along 2770 south just east of Redwood Road to the Brighton Canal is currently closed. Once TRAX construction is completed, the trail will once again be operational.

Reach 5

Reach Description: Reach 5 will include construction along 1070 West in the Chesterfield industrial area. This reach will include one bridge structure over the Jordan River and another over 900 West. Current Construction: Crews have started utility work along 1070 West. They are “potholing” or exposing utilities to determine their exact locations under the street. The majority of utility work in this area is taking place on 1070 West just north of Parkway Avenue. Access is being maintained and impacts to motorist should be minimal. Upcoming Construction: Heavier utility work will begin along 1070 West in the industrial section of Chesterfield later this month. There will be some lane restrictions implemented. As we get closer to this part of construction, we will meet with businesses to talk about how to lessen any impacts. Traffic Impacts: Any impacts to motorists should be minimal.

Reach 6

Reach Description: Reach 6 runs through the Union Pacific Railroad’s Roper Yard area. Although there are no businesses and residents in this reach, extensive coordination will take place with the Union Pacific Railroad to ensure that freight deliveries and other train travel will be maintained. Reach 6 will include an extensive bridging system that will enable TRAX to operate above ground, over other train traffic. Current Construction: Crews have installed steel piles 120’ into the ground to form the main foundations for the aerial bridge that will carry TRAX over the Union Pacific Railroad tracks. These steel piles are welded together and then pounded into the earth until they reach bedrock to form the bases of the bridge structure. Crews have started to prepare a base course for TRAX. Upcoming Construction: Coordination will continue with the Union Pacific Railroad to install utilities and bridge structures. Traffic Impacts: Not applicable. This is a Union Pacific Railroad work area.

Reach 7

Reach Description: Reach 7 is the area where the West Valley Line will connect with the current North/South TRAX Line. Construction in this reach will take place along Andy Avenue in South Salt Lake. Crews will closely coordinate activities with businesses to ensure access is maintained at all times. A construction survey has been conducted with the businesses along 400 West between Andy Avenue and 2100 South to determine the best time to construct in the Andy Avenue/600 West intersection. We will get back to businesses in this area to deliver the survey results and ensure adequate access. Current Construction: Crews have removed the old track along Andy Avenue and are installing utilities in this area. Night crews removed and replaced old storm drains at the intersection of Andy Avenue and 600 West. Upcoming Construction: The storm drain installation at Andy Avenue will continue throughout the next several weeks as construction continues east toward 300 West. Traffic Impacts: Access will be maintained along Andy Avenue between 300 West and 400 West and through the Andy Avenue/400 West intersection to serve the businesses in this area.

General Information

Access during Construction

UTA is committed to maintaining 24-hour access to all of the businesses and residences along the construction corridor. We will coordinate with businesses in cases where temporary access might be required.

Construction Hours

Construction on the project is permitted to take place between 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. In addition, specific activities may require varying work hours, depending upon the conditions and in coordination with city officials.

Construction Tours

If you are interested in learning more about the construction project, please call our toll-free 24-hour hotline at (888) 800-8854.

For More Information

Timely and helpful information is available to assist businesses and residential communities as well as commuters and stakeholders.

If you have further questions not answered by this report or any comments regarding the project, please contact our toll-free 24-hour hotline at (888) 800-8854 or e-mail thope@rideuta.com. You can also visit UTA’s Web site at www.rideuta.com.

Please note that construction information provided is subject to change.