How do you build a better place? It takes effective transportation solutions, good Urban Design, good planning, and the political will to make it happen.
The Gold Line was built along the right of way of the former Santa Fe railroad that saw such famous trains as the Super Chief which was also referred to as the "train of the stars". I grew up not far from this line and during my high school years lived in a house whose back yard bordered this line.
Here is an off beat entry from the Transit Sleuth in Portland about the why the concept of Fare Free is a bad idea:
Think we will ever see this in Utah? I won't hold my breath unless their is a rapture and people do start voting for the person instead of the political party in this state.
Curitiba is often used by BRT advocates as their nirvana example (I will talk about this more in the future) but here is a post from the Overhead Wire about their LRT plan:
This is a proposal to cap the freeway that runs to the west of downtown Los Angeles. Seattle did this with a portion of Interstate 5 near downtown Seattle. Now if they had only put Interstate 15 in a trench like most rebuilt freeways through downtown Salt Lake because this same thing could have been done in Salt Lake, but its too late now.
Next there is this posting about Representative Earl Blumenauer's bill that would help transit agencies that are being hurt by the big diesel prices.
Blumenauer has been a big proponent of effective transit development and is a regular speaker at Railvolution and other similar programs.
One of the things I like about this bill is that there is a provision to boost housing near highways plus incentives for transit riders, cyclists, telecommuters and carpoolers.
Previously I have talked about the problems with the requirments for new schools that almost force students to be either bussed or driven to school or drive themselves in the case of High Schools. The Smart Growth Around America Blog has an entry talking about more about this and issues such as diesel prices is having on busing:
Image via WikipediaThe RTC in Las Vegas was planning a Light Rail line from Henderson all the way to North Las Vegas but instead will now have ACE Rapid Transit. So what is ACE Rapid Transit? It is the newest Las Vegas Bus Rapid Transit project that will not be very rapid.
Of course they are using the usual BRT propaganda that it will be just like light rail only cheaper. For anyone that has ridden the 35M knows that it may be a little faster but it is not like light rail except you don't put money into the farebox (well at some stops you have to), and you can board from any door, beyond that it is not like light rail.
This new service will travel from the Premium Outlet Malls near downtown Las Vegas through downtown then down the Las Vegas Strip. While ACE is bragging about exclusive lanes that the buses will use, they only cover the section of the route from the Premium Mall are to Casino Center and Imperial which is less than a third of the route. The rest of the route will be in the streets which includes Las Vegas Blvd.
For anyone like me who are familiar with Las Vegas will know this whole thing is a joke. The area with exclusive lanes does not have a traffic problem. I have traveled these streets many times and I have never been stuck in traffic. On the other hand who in their right minds drives down Las Vegas Blvd through the strip area unless you are people watching because they will be passing you or your a tourist who doesn't know any better?
You cannot say anything driving down Las Vegas Blvd in mixed traffic is rapid.
What they don't tell you is the disadvantage of this system over rail transit:
1. When your bus is full, you cannot just add another car to the train. You have to add another bus and driver which increases cost.
2. Light rail vehicles and streetcars carry more passengers than any US legal buses.
3. Operation cost are higher per passenger on a bus than a light rail or streetcar.
Las Vegas needs real answers not a repackaged bus that is covering an already overcrowded corridor. But this is just another example of how BRT is being sold as a magical answer that it is not.
There is better ways to invest transit dollars than Bus Rapid Transit such as Streetcar, Rapid Streetcar and Light Rail.
Image via WikipediaThis Week at Amtrak; July 31, 2008
A weekly digest of events, opinions, and forecasts from United Rail Passenger Alliance, Inc. 1526 University Boulevard, West, PMB 203 Jacksonville, Florida 32217-2006 USA Telephone 904-636-7739, Electronic Mail info@unitedrail.org http://www.unitedrail.org
Volume 5, Number 22
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1) Ah, summertime! Those lazy, hazy days when America hits the rails and roads. Here’s an enroute firsthand report from a dedicated railfan who had just a bit too much of Amtrak’s hospitality.
[Begin quote]
[Onboard the Empire Builder, east of St. Paul, Minnesota] So, the plot so far ... we are on the eastbound Empire Builder (Train no. 28) which departed Portland Saturday.
There was no AC in the deluxe bedrooms (in the sleeping car which we were booked in), so we spent most of our trip in coach. Also, there was no lounge car, as is normally in the train’s consist.
Sunday morning, a PA announcement greeted us with "welcome to our nightmare." Someone was having a bad day, already.
There are two current bright spots:
– To my knowledge, every toilet still works.
– It appears we will arrive in Chicago yet today, without a bustitution.
In other words, it could have been worse!
So, it wasn't just our car and the lounge car that had issues. Apparently "every" car had issues. Several of the Seattle sleepers also had issues, though apparently not as bad as ours. The diner (from Seattle) had no (or little) refrigeration.
So, the diner stopped serving coach passengers, but served pretty much a full menu to sleeper passengers. Arrangements were made for free food for coach passengers. Large boxes of Subway sandwiches were loaded on the train at one stop, boxes of other things at another, and for dinner they offered a hot boxed chicken dinner for $9.75 to coach passengers.
Breakfast on Sunday was a nightmare because they were handing out a free jumbo muffin and juice to coach passengers – from a table at one end of the diner. Huge line to make it past. They learned their lesson and passed that stuff out themselves after that.
Today, we sat in St. Paul for a long time. Maybe two hours? I haven't checked the web site. We have a private car on the train, and they were inserting a coach between the Portland sleeper and the private car at the end of the train. The Head End Power was off for almost all of that two hours, and it got unbearably hot in most of the train. One of the coach attendants (our sleeper attendant was AWOL) said we were supposed to pick up an engine that had been dropped off as bad ordered the day before and take it with us to Chicago, but his suspicion was that the Head End Power wasn't routing through it correctly, because it looked like they were taking it back out of the train’s consist.
A family of three was in room A next to us. They were really annoyed about the whole thing. Got on in Portland, no AC, and they claim somebody promised them a room would open up in Spokane (Everybody I talked to said MAYBE that would happen.). The man in the family in A asked me if I knew about getting a refund. I told him to call 800-USA-RAIL, and ask for customer relations (that's what the Portland attendant had told me to do). I said he'd probably get a full refund in the form of a voucher. That really ticked him off more – "What would I ever want to ride Amtrak again for?" I later learned this was pretty much their first train trip, though they had been on the Coast Starlight as part of it, and enjoyed that ... but they were so soured by this experience it became a "never again" moment. I saw his wife run back to the sleepers from the "sleeper seats in coach" crying at one point – just overwhelmed, I guess.
They eventually got so fed up with it all that they got off in St. Paul, and I guess were going to find an alternate way to reach Chicago.
Paul, our sleeper attendant, had started out incredibly friendly and accommodating Saturday, but turned downright surly by Sunday morning. He didn't lift a finger to help us with anything, and three times walked away while I was talking to him. Also, I happened to be downstairs in the car’s vestibule at one stop when the conductor was boarding people down there, moving the suitcases away, etc. He was incredibly friendly to the passengers getting on, but said "your attendant has missed the last three stops. I'm not sure where he is, but I'm sure he'll be around to introduce himself soon." Read what you will from that.
There were some roomettes that were empty until Minot. Paul didn't offer them to us, and when I asked him if we could use them, he said, "No, every room is sold." and stormed off. When I saw him next, I asked where they were sold from, and he agreed we could sit in them until then.
He treated the other people in the AC-free rooms the same, from what they told me.
Despite all this, they managed to hold a wine tasting in the diner yesterday afternoon. There was an announcement that sleeper passengers that signed up should come over now. Only nobody ever asked us. Paul got on the PA from the diner and said "the 2830 car people should just come now." Oops.
In fairness to Paul, I think he was stretched really thin – helping serve food to people in coach, helping with the wine tasting, etc. But he did seem to be incredibly helpful to the people with air conditioning. No idea why he pretty much wrote off those of us without.
Anyhow ... Onwards to Chicago. Amtrak is estimating a 5:35 arrival now.
Strange things happening in the diner, too. No "enhanced menu" of any sort. And there was usually one and only one call for each meal, and sometimes you were just magically supposed to know when that call was.
Crew morale was obviously rock bottom. My wife and I overheard lots of sniping back and forth. Several attendants were mad at one coach attendant who knowingly took fruit loaded on the train for breakfast and handed it all out to the passengers in only her coach before anybody else could get it.
The service in the dining car was above average though.
[End quote]
And, this is the Empire Builder, supposed to be one of Amtrak's BEST trains?
2) Here’s the big question: Has Amtrak President and CEO Alex Kummant completely lost his way in running the company? So many Amtrak observers had high hopes for his on-the-job performance expectations, but those hopes appear to be dashed on the rocky shores of Amtrak’s continuing business as usual when it comes to passenger service.
In both the real world and the Amtrak world (Only the most misguided, ardent rail fan and Amtrak apologist would every presume Amtrak is operated in the real world.), the public head of a company is supposed to be the guiding light of the company. The reason company CEOs are selected by boards of directors is to provide a vision for a company and to lead the company to achieve that vision.
That is not what is happening here.
This wretched description of a trip on the Empire Builder in the height of the summer travel season says far too much about far too many things being perpetually wrong at Amtrak. What the above description highlights is a complete lack of managerial oversight of a train crew on the road, plus an ignoble laissez faire attitude that is ruinous for both passengers and employees.
There are so many good Amtrak employees trying hard to serve their passengers well. Why is this type of completely unacceptable situation allowed to fester, causing the company both money and future business? Does anyone care?
You may recall the Empire Builder was to be the grand experiment in running long distance passenger trains (In actuality, the Empire Builder "experience" for passengers is merely a shadow of the normal service we used to provide every trip on the Sunset Limited pre-David Gunn and pre-Alex Kummant.). The Builder was outfitted with nifty rebuilt passenger cars, and the employees were allegedly some of the best in the company. The Empire Builder was the train that was supposed to define Amtrak’s long distance network, and would be the model for all other long distance trains to follow. Oops! What went wrong?
Has Amtrak simply given up on the concept of acceptable long distance train service? Or, can Amtrak – which started the Empire Builder grand experiment with pretty high approval marks – sustain any reasonable service levels for any length of time?
And, what about the front line mangers of this route? Where are they? Off on their own vacations, leaving their near-helpless passengers to find for themselves? Or, maybe hanging out in a back office, hoping no one will notice them?
Back to the real world: What manager on the Empire Builder route needs to lose their job over this? Does anyone at Amtrak understand a) accountability, and b) personal responsibility?
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More information about the Granite Block in Sugar HGouse. One of the things I dislike about the project is that it would put a parking garage entrance on 2100 South were many people walk. How many pedestrians have almost been hit by idiot drivers who fly out of those parking garage entrances without looking for pedestrians?
Plus we know that smaller business will not be able to afford this development and we will end up with more generic chain stores. Of course with retailers hurting in the present economy, what are the prospects for all these new retailers to come in?
While this is a Federal problem instead of a local problem, there needs to be something done about how the tax depreciation right off occurs for developments. As I have stated before it encourages new construction that is only designed to last until the depreciation is over with (7 years) then the developer is gone.
Now if the tax right off would encourage reuse of older buildings and longer depreciation schedules that don't encourage the build and run, we would start see better and longer lasting developments.
While I can see both sides of the issue on the station naming, the big news I like in the new policy is that the stations cannot be named for people living or dead. I think the naming of things after people was really run into the ground by Congressman Barr who wanted to name every place in sight after Ronald Reagan even threating agencies with cutting of funding if they attempted a futile attempt at resistance.
Naming stations after people would only confuse new and tourist riders since the names would be nothing. I really have no problem with stations such as Library because it tells you what is at the stop although 200 East 400 South Library Stop basically does the same thing.
Image via WikipediaUTA has announced that it is looking to adding another surcharge to transit fares in October. While no one wants to see the increase in fares, we have to face facts that diesel is at an all time high. While some use this to attack TRAX and Front Runner, the true problems are the bus system and the paratransit system.
As I have pointed out in the past the paratransit system is an unfunded mandate through the ADA from the federal government that cost us $25 to $35 per rider. Yet the people who use the taxi service feel that they are entitled to pay the same fares or slightly more than bus riders that cost substantially less.
Also these vans that often run around the area with either one or at the most a couple of passengers also take fuel to run them so when the cost goes up, it is put on all of us to pay for it.
Another issue that is coming back to hurt us is our lack of density outside the Salt Lake area. While some people try to point out that fares are less in a city like San Francisco, we also have to remember they have a much higher density covering a much smaller area. UTA has to cover service from Payson to Brigham city that means you have buses covering a lot of miles and some very weak lines covering that area.
We need long term solutions to get more ridership on the buses. Even the increases we currently have are only a drop in the budget to what is really needed to make our bus system less costly. Sadly some people want instant solutions that will only do long term harm.
I am sure there is one group out there that is celebrating this wonderful day when they let the foxes into the hen house but we shall see if anything really comes of this.
Of course there is many dangers to transit service on the horizon presently, not the least of which is the President's attempt to steal transit funds, what is that certain organization doing to prevent this travesty or are they supporting it since it would give more funding to highways which that group supports.
Apparently many people seeing how bad the tie ups were on I-15 decided to take Front Runner home instead. While the trains may have been overcrowded because of this, at least they didn't have to deal with the traffic tie ups and got home faster.
Here is a nice editorial coming from Utah County about taking the bus.
Next up is an article about walkable communities and how they can keep the pounds off. Imagine that, if the neighborhood is walkable it means that people are more likely to walk and it keeps the weight off. What a concept is that? Walkable Neighborhoods Keep the Pounds Off
On that note Walk Score has come out with a new walk score calculator plus showing the most walkable cities which does not have Salt Lake City in the top 30. The walk score is still of questionable use since it does not have the abilities to know about sidewalks. After all, my in-laws area shows a higher walking score than our apartment despite the fact that it is not safe to walk from my in-laws home to anywhere.
Transit ridership is surging because of high gas prices so what is President Bush's answer to the situation? His Secretary of TransportationMary Peters just reveled a plan to transfer funds from transit to highways. Doesn't that make sense?
Here is the latest update on West Valley TRAX construction.
Construction progress is being made on the West Valley TRAX Line. To keep business and traffic impacts to a minimum, this 5-mile project has been separated into seven construction “reaches,” or segments, for management and planning purposes. The map above 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 reaches 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7. A description of what is happening in each reach is listed below. If you need further construction information, please call our toll-free 24-hour hotline at (800) 888-8854.
Reach 1 (light green)
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.
Preliminary off-road construction is taking place Reach 1 as crews prepare to remove a property located at 2841 West Lehman Avenue near West Valley City Hall. This property is one of a few in this area that must be removed to make room for the West Valley Line TRAX Line.
Current impacts to motorists should be minimal at this time. As construction proceeds, we will personally visit with residents and businesses in this area to keep them informed.
Reach 2 (purple)
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 in this reach 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.
Off-road construction is continuing to take place along the south side of 3100 South just east of Constitution Boulevard. Crews are preparing to tear down 7 vacant homes along the south side of 3100 South to make room for TRAX construction.
Current impacts to motorists should be minimal in this reach.
Reach 3 (blue)
Reach 3 is the area along Decker Lake Drive from 3100 South to 2770 South and on 2770 South running east to Redwood Road. This area includes many commercial office buildings with thousands of employees who access this area each and every day. We will continually work with these businesses to ensure access is provided at all times.
TRAX construction is currently taking place on Decker Lake Drive. One lane of traffic is operational in each direction on Decker Lake Drive at all times and access to businesses is maintained. Please be mindful of workers in this area and obey posted speed limits.
Crews in this area continue to install sewer lines and other utilities on the west side of Decker Lake Drive. As crews complete the preliminary utility work on the west side of the street, they will then switch to the east side of Decker Lake Drive and redirect traffic to the west side of the street. This utility work will continue through the next several months.
Reach 4 (orange)
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.
TRAX construction is currently taking place along the Decker Lake Canal in Reach 4. Construction in this area is taking place on the east side of Redwood Road as crews continue to clear the way for TRAX on the north side of the Brighton Canal and along the Decker Lake Canal.
Construction is also taking place just east of Redwood Road at 2770 South along the Crosstowne Trail. Crews are working with residents in this area to install temporary fences and remove any structures located in the right-of-way. Power poles are also being relocated in this area. Close coordination with residents in this area will continue to take place.
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 in this area.
Reach 5 (red)
Reach 5 will include construction along Winton Street in the Chesterfield industrial area. This reach will include one bridge structure over the Jordan River and another over 900 West.
Currently, construction is not taking place in this reach.
Reach 6 (yellow)
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 in this area.
Construction crews continue to pothole and install utilities in this reach.
Reach 7 (dark green)
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 in this reach to ensure access is maintained at all times.
Currently crews are removing the old rails along Andy Avenue from the current North/South TRAX Line and just past 600 West. This coming week, crews will begin to take out the rail that extends through the roadways at 600 West and 400 West. Flaggers will direct traffic from two lanes to one while this work is being completed. We will meet personally with businesses in this area to alert them of this work and to help minimize potential impacts.
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. and 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday each week. Additionally, specific activities may require different working hours depending upon the conditions and will be coordinated 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 (800) 888-8854.
For More Information
·Timely and helpful information is available to assist business and residential communities as well as commuters and stakeholders.
If you have further questions not answered by this report or any comments or issues regarding the project please contact toll-free 24-hour hotline at (800) 888-8854 or e-mail csaley@rideuta.com or thope@rideuta.com.
More people are discovering the transit does offer an alternative to the car here in Utah. People try to compare the time it takes by car to transit but as the article points out, there is advantages to being on a transit vehicle.
Image via WikipediaHere is some blog post that some may find of interest. First one is a post from the RT Rider about what is happening in Sacramento the capital of California. The transit agency is facing a major funding problem because the state controls the purse strings and the Govenator whats to transfer the money to road building. This is some of the options that Sacramento RT is looking at:
Next up is from the Intermodality Blog which is out of Houston. There is plans to build a new highway but what are the real reasons for it being built?
Next comes an article from Transit Miami about how a group of NIMBY's is opposing a bike trail. The author does a great job showing how misplaced fears by NIMBY's can cause heartache for a project.
The writer must be talking about the new Frontlines offices across the tracks from the Intermodal Hub. I have never been in the offices so I have no idea of what they have done. However, if UTA did use existing facilities they should be applauding for not doing any extensive refurbishing. The building should eventually be replaced by an extension of the Intermodal Hub as the area starts to grow. MAX gets a C
This is another letter to the editor and talks about the MAX service. The guy gives an A for buses that are state of the art but as I noted there is plenty of issues with these buses and this guy will probably learn they are not that wonderful in the long run. He also gives the service a bad mark because the light system doesn't always work. On my trip they never worked but I did want to use that against the service since I wasn't sure if it was the actual system, lack of training or the fact that the system isn't 100% operational. Overall I think this guy gives a fair assessment of the service. West Valley finds it pays to use Washington lobbyists
West Valley was able obtain more funding for its transit center at the Valley Fair Mall (or is it now going to be The Shops at Valley Center or some name like that?).
Image via WikipediaHere is another Perils for Pedestrian Video.
First they talk to the head of the Rails To Trails Conservation. While the Rails to Trails sounded like a good idea at one point, the whole point of railbanking was to make the rights of way available to the railroads when they needed them. However, the organization and the trail users have fought every attempt to put rails back down even if a trail was also included. This includes the fight against the badly needed Purple line in Washington DC, the restoration of rail freight service on a line in Washington State, and the NIMBY attitude in Draper.
Another one of the interviews really caught my eye. It is a guy here in Salt Lake City that got rid of his car and uses his bike primarily and public transportation. Unlike many bicycle advocates that blame everything on the automobile (there is plenty of blame there) , this guy admits that bicyclist create problems by not obeying traffic laws. You also never hear this from the die hard bicycles advocates so it is a nice change.
This is an interesting post from the Baltimore InnerSpace blog. There is great information about how an area developed, was split up, and how bad development decisions in past years created a situation today.
First of all, let me call your attention to one of the last sentences of the article: Councilman Renny Knowlton said he's noticed that single home development has slowed down a lot recently.
No kidding? This guy is a smart one.
The town homes approved on Gentile are within walking distance of the Front Runner station, and although not true transit oriented development it can be considered part of the Front Runner station area as the picture shows.
Shows that Layton is having some Sandy envy. It has to have all the coolest stores and restaurants despite the infrastructure nightmare they create. Hill Field Road is already a traffic nightmare and more stores along the corridor will only worsen the problem. Will these new chain stores bring in enough sales tax revenue to overcome the infrastructure problems that already exist much less would be created? Of course not.
Instead of worrying about having every chain store on the list, how about promoting Layton's unique character. Layton has a nice downtown area that is very close to the Front Runner station. How about promoting some of those small businesses and showing that Layton has something special? After all, chain stores are everywhere but that small business...
Once again, we have developers looking to develop a property that they can depreciate over 7 years and show losses on making big bucks but could care less what happens to the area around the shopping center once they make their money.
Both of the streets are two lane roads. Once again you have to ask, will this center produce enough sales tax dollars to cover the infrastructure cost it creates, not to mention the additional police and fire protection and other city services? Of course the answer to those question is no.
It's time for city governments to start looking beyond just the sales tax revenue brought in and look at the actual long term cost of a project including additional services. Cities should be looking for create unique shopping experiences not worrying if they have every chain store on the list.
I am sure this editorial will get more than a few comments from those who want government out of their lives but won't face the facts that they only got the mortgage on their house because of the government.
-All I will say is that with the cost of putting BRT in the first place, there is little chance that additional money will be spent to convert it in the future. The El Monte Busway and Harbor Freeway Busway in Los Angeles are both "convertable" to rail, but don't hold your breath.
Image via WikipediaPreviously I went over some ideas for future expansions of TRAX and streetcar lines (April 14th and 24th) once the 2015 projects are done. One area I did not go over was Front Runner beyond the Front Runner South line.
Once the Front Runner projects are completed and it is running from Payson to Brigham City, there will be little room for expansion. The most likely expansion of Front Runner commuter train service would be from Brigham City to Logan. However, the rail line would be at a disadvantage since the current main line of the Union Pacific travels out of the way to reach Logan. The train could overcome the route disadvantage since there would be few intermediate stops (one to serve the Tremonton area and the other south of Logan so with upgraded tracks the trains could operate at 79mph for extended periods.
Beyond an expansion to Logan there is two long term projects to be undertaken.
The first is to put in more double track were feasible. There is some bottle necks in the system that will take lots of funds to make this happen including several bridges that would have to be replaced. Secondly, part of the line through Davis and Weber counties is already butting up against homes so land would have to be acquired in some instances. However, as the line grows in importance double tracking will become more critical.
Finally, the line should be electrified in the long run. The ultimate solution would be to run EMU's along the route. EMU's can accelerate faster than a locomotive hauled train making the trip even faster than it is now. The downside is that the Federal Railway Administration's policy on rail car buff strength. The current requirements are so high that no off the shelf equipment is legal which means anything used in the United States cost more than any other country in the world.
One current problem may actually create a solution to this problem. With Diesel at all time highs, more cities may start looking toward electrifying their commuter railroads. If more cities would jump on the bandwagon and run EMU's, economies would kick in making it less expensive.
Front Runner will be the vital regional connector in our transportation future. We have only seen the tip of the iceburg on what it can do.
Image via WikipediaThe Weber County Forum has some comments on two recent articles from the Salt Lake Tribune.
I have to agree that Ogden should be doing more to promote tourism via the Front Runner line.
When I went up to Ogden last week it was to do some photography. I know that there is a brochure about some of the historic structures in the Ogden area but none of them were to be found in a place that rail riders could access them.
Here are some brochures that Ogden should make available to Front Runner riders?
-Map of the downtown area -Map of historic buildings -Parks and Trails -Restaurants -Others places to see accessible by transit
Ogden has a new marketing opportunity and needs to take advantage of it.
Image via WikipediaYesterday, UTA sent out its first construction update on the West Valley TRAX line. UTA sent these out during the construction of the Intermodal extension. This allows those on the mailing list to know where construction is taking place in order to avoid it. It also allows local businesses to know when their area is going to be torn up and how to deal with it.
UTA has divided up the line into 7 project areas and is giving updates on what is happening in each section.
West Valley TRAX Line: Weekly Construction Report (July 14 – July 21)
Construction has officially begun on the West Valley TRAX Line! To keep business and traffic impacts to a minimum, this 5-mile project has been separated into seven construction “reaches,” or segments, for management and planning purposes. The map above 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 reaches 3, 4, 6 and 7. A description of what is happening in each reach is listed below. If you need further construction information, please call our toll-free 24-hour hotline at (800) 888-8854.
Reach 1 (light green) 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. When construction begins in this area, access to all business and residences will be maintained.
Currently TRAX construction is not taking place in this reach.
Reach 2 (purple) 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 in this reach 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.
Preliminary off-road construction is currently taking place along the south side of 3100 South just east of Constitution Boulevard. Crews are preparing to tear down 7 vacant homes along the south side of 3100 South to make room for TRAX construction. Current impacts to motorists should be minimal in this reach.
Reach 3 (blue) Reach 3 is the area along Decker Lake Drive from 3100 South to 2770 South and on 2770 South running east to Redwood Road. This area includes many commercial office buildings with thousands of employees who access this area each and every day. We will continually work with these businesses to ensure access is provided at all times.
TRAX construction is currently taking place on Decker Lake Drive. One lane of traffic is operational in each direction on Decker Lake Drive at all times and access to businesses is maintained. Please be mindful of workers in this area and obey posted speed limits.
Construction crews continue to expose or “pothole” utilities under Decker Lake Drive to determine exact locations before major construction begins in this area. Crews are also installing sewer line in this reach. This utility work will continue through the next several months. Reach 4 (orange)
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.
TRAX construction is currently taking place along the Decker Lake Canal in Reach 4. Crews are clearing the area on the north side of the canal to make room for TRAX.
Construction is also taking place east of Redwood Road along 2770 South and the Crosstowne Trail. Crews are working with residents in this area to install temporary fences and remove any structures located in the right-of-way. Power poles are also being relocated in this area. Close coordination with residents in this area will continue to take place.
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 in this area.
Reach 5 (red)
Reach 5 will include construction along Winton Street in the Chesterfield industrial area. This reach will include one bridge structure over the Jordan River and another over 900 West.
Reach 6 (yellow) 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 in this area.
Construction crews are currently potholing utilities in this area and installing utility lines.
Reach 7 (dark green)
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 in this reach to ensure access is maintained at all times.
Beginning Monday, July 21, crews will begin removing old track along Andy Avenue between 300 West and the current North/South TRAX Line. Impacts will be minimal at this time because this work is not located in the roadway area.
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. and 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday each week. Additionally, specific activities may require different working hours depending upon the conditions and will be coordinated 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 (800) 888-8854.
For More Information
If you have further questions not answered by this report or any comments or issues regarding the project please contact toll-free 24-hour hotline at (800) 888-8854 or e-mail csaley@rideuta.com or thope@rideuta.com.
Or visit www.rideuta.com
Please note that construction information provided is subject to change.
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Image via WikipediaHere is some of the interesting blog posts from around the transit blog world that caught my attention this week.
