Quote:
Originally Posted by urbanboy
I agree, however, the neighborhoods on the west side of the City feel like building a TRAX viaduct on 600 West would create yet another physical barrier between the west side of the city and Downtown.
Currently, there is not enough money to both rebuild the viaduct, and inlay the TRAX tracks in cement all along North Temple. Perhaps Rose Park and other west side communities should choose between rebuilding the North Temple viaduct which would accommodate TRAX, or building a new, cheaper TRAX viaduct on 600 West and using the leftover funds to pay for both the inlay of the TRAX tracks, and the "boulevard" amenities/upgrades along North Temple.
I once thought the views from the North Temple viaduct would give transit riders and visitors a sense of arrival into downtown, However, now these views have been blocked by current development at the Gateway. I now think the Airport TRAX line should run down 600 West, and should be seen as a connector between the west side community and Downtown, rather than a divider. This alignment will also insure the vitality of Salt Lake Central Station.
Furthermore, the implementation of the Airport TRAX line will reduce North Temple from six lanes to four lanes, thus there is potential of also reducing the number of lanes on the viaduct from six to four, freeing up more space on the current viaduct for bicycle lanes. And, by not running on 400 West, the Airport Line will not interfere with the future Salt Lake-Davis County TRAX line and cause transit congestion.
Eventually, I would like the North Temple viaduct shortened, but I don't think it should ever accommodate TRAX.
Just some doodling:
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I take an Express Bus down that comes in via North Temple twice/week and know exactly what view you are talking about. Even with the Hyatt fully topped out, there is still a spectacular view from the first part of the viaduct. The second half will be removed anyway, so I think this view will be preserved. It's really an excellent view! You see the Wasatch drapped over the down down skyline, you see every major building down town including Tower 1 and 222, you can see the Gateway rail-front view which almost has the feel of a city beside a river (taller buildings suddenly rising from the ground unobstructed by other buildings). I think that this will be a great "grand entrence" to down town for TRAX riders - especially new-commers who are going to down town to pass time while waiting for a connecting flight. With new direct routes to Paris, Tokyo, and a potential India route, I think this will be a great image to display to international visitors. Now that you bring it up, I do firmly support the North Temple viaduct option (without a station connecting to FrontRunner, of course.)
So I was looking at your map. I can identify all but the yellow and green lines. Are these potential street-car lines?
Quote:
Originally Posted by cololi
The viaduct is needed to cross the heavy rail line. Trax cannot cross it at grade, it has to go over it or under it. There is no need to fly over I-15 because trax can go under it.
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Oh yeah, that makes sense.