Salt Lake Transit News Thread - Page 216

SLC4L · #**4301** Posted **May 2, 2012, 8:00 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

New airport TRAX line is in final push toward completion
Transit » Construction on the new line is years ahead of schedule.

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/53...ation.html.csp

When is UTA not years ahead of their schedule?

stayinginformed · #**4302** Posted **May 2, 2012, 2:44 PM**

Some conceptual drawings for the Sugarhouse Streetcar Line.

Future Mayor · #**4303** Posted **May 2, 2012, 2:52 PM**

If the street car line develops into anything even similar to the concepts, this can be a very vibrant area, an area that has vibrancy and life, without a street. I hope the surrounding property owners or developers buy into the concept and see the vision.

stayinginformed · #**4304** Posted **May 2, 2012, 2:57 PM**

The City Council approved $6.9 million last night for the amenities in these conceptual drawings.

As for developers buying in, I think that is already happening. Look at how many new projects are going into that area of Sugarhouse:

Cowboy Partners Apartment
Granite Showroom Mixed Use
Sugarhole
Wilmington Ave Mixed Use
Westminster Student Housing
Market Station (if it ever gets funding)

Future Mayor · #**4305** Posted **May 2, 2012, 3:11 PM**

Another potential area for development along the street car line is on 200 East, yes I realize that the station is going to be west of State Street. If the state would allow for some sort of walkway over State Street, and I don't mean a simple utilitarian pedestrian crossing like those over Bangerter, something like those that cross the strip in Vegas would work, then the east side of State, the Ritz parking lot, could develop nicely as well.

goldcntry · #**4306** Posted **May 2, 2012, 4:40 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Future Mayor

This pic just sold me on the different colored polls. The individual prior pics always left me feeling... meh... However, seeing the way they blend in this pic has made me a believer.

Those concepts for the streetcar stations are HOT! I really really hope that the end product mirrors these - a great boon for Sugarhouse!

wrendog · #**4307** Posted **May 2, 2012, 4:44 PM**

Only one track? Is that normal?

stayinginformed · #**4308** Posted **May 2, 2012, 5:15 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by wrendog

Only one track? Is that normal?

The initial phase is one track.

wrendog · #**4309** Posted **May 2, 2012, 5:34 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by stayinginformed

The initial phase is one track.

So, it'll be a street car going to the end, turning around (so to speak) and going back to the beginning? Seems.... inefficient.

billbillbillbill · #**4310** Posted **May 2, 2012, 5:39 PM**

The line initially is only a couple of miles so I am guessing 1 track will be adequate for limited frequency.

stayinginformed · #**4311** Posted **May 2, 2012, 5:40 PM**

I think there will be portions that have two tracks for passing. I would assume they would have at least two cars running at any given time on the line.

eastidaho · #**4312** Posted **May 2, 2012, 6:05 PM**

They need two lines. One line for back and forth operation. One line for the daily police investigation of car meets train broadside.

tygr · #**4313** Posted **May 2, 2012, 6:47 PM**

Love the streetcar concepts!!

I love the minimalist and integrated design that is basically seamless.

They should increase the frequency of the lighted bollards to every 8–12 feet or so. When a train is approaching, they should strobe and have the sound of bells dinging when trains approach so that people can get out of the way if they're not paying attention.

Even in areas away from stations, they should do lighted bollards occasionally that are triggered to alert people on pathways as the train passes by; it would be triggered to sound and strobe a hundred yards or so ahead of the train and stop when it passes; nothing too loud, but just enough to alert someone that isn't wearing headphones. If they could embed a low profile alert system between the tracks, that would be even better; almost like runway lights.

In areas where the streetcar passes cross streets/paths, there should be trail markers that indicate how close the stations are in both directions so that people can know which station is most convenient for them.

SLC Projects · #**4314** Posted **May 2, 2012, 7:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by stayinginformed

Some conceptual drawings for the Sugarhouse Streetcar Line.

This does look nice and all. However I can just see it now.......man walks out in front of train.........another man walks out in front of train........two days later....woman walks out in front of train. You get idea.

Future Mayor · #**4315** Posted **May 2, 2012, 8:10 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by stayinginformed

I think there will be portions that have two tracks for passing. I would assume they would have at least two cars running at any given time on the line.

I think you are correct. From the designs I remember seeing at some of the meetings, the majority of the stations will have two sets of tracks, not sure why the 900 E conceptual drawing didn't include that. If this truly is the case I like that there is only one track in between stations.

UTPlanner · #**4316** Posted **May 2, 2012, 8:19 PM**

The line is being built with a single track and areas to pass; most of those passing areas are around the stations. The right of way is large enough for two tracks and it is the plan to install a second track when there is sufficient demand.

farmerboy · #**4317** Posted **May 3, 2012, 12:05 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by SLC Projects

This does look nice and all. However I can just see it now.......man walks out in front of train.........another man walks out in front of train........two days later....woman walks out in front of train. You get idea.

I'm confused by the idea that pedestrians in any near proximity to trains is such a safety hazard when pedestrians are within arms length of speeding auto traffic everyday and it isn't seen as a safety hazard. i.e. sidewalks along 400 south.

RC14 · #**4318** Posted **May 3, 2012, 1:06 AM**

When will the Sugarhouse street car line be completed. It seems like I remember hearing it will only take a year. Is that correct?

CountyLemonade · #**4319** Posted **May 3, 2012, 3:19 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmerboy

I'm confused by the idea that pedestrians in any near proximity to trains is such a safety hazard when pedestrians are within arms length of speeding auto traffic everyday and it isn't seen as a safety hazard. i.e. sidewalks along 400 south.

Also, keep in mind that places like Portland and Dusseldorf have streetcar systems like this that are totally integrated with pedestrian corridors with no separation.

UTPlanner · #**4320** Posted **May 3, 2012, 3:41 PM**

UTA thinks the project will be complete in one year. When they're building in an existing rail corridor and there's no need to build any bridges or other expensive and time consuming projects the project should go very quickly. Look how quickly the Draper TRAX extension has been constructed. It's nearly complete.