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A map of the entire UTA rail system as of August 2013

TRAX is a three-line urban light rail mass transit system operated by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA), serving much of the Salt Lake Valley in Utah, United States. (The official name of TRAX is Transit Express, however this name is almost never used.) Communities served by the service include Draper, Midvale, Murray, Salt Lake City, Sandy, South Jordan, South Salt Lake, West Jordan, and West Valley City.

Description

The network consists of three lines: the Blue Line (previously referred to as the Sandy Line), which opened in 1999; the Red Line (previously referred to as the University Line), which opened in 2001;[1][2] and the Green Line, which opened in 2011. As of July 2023, the network serves 36,900 passengers a day, making TRAX the 10th-largest light rail system in the United States in ridership.[needs update][3][4] There are 50 stations on the 3 lines of the UTA TRAX system, with an overall length of the network being 44.8 miles (72.1 km).[4]

The stations along the UTA TRAX network are open-air structures featuring passenger canopies for protection from adverse weather. Many of the canopies are designed to resemble the canopy at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building (which is located Downtown and listed on the National Register of Historic Places).[5] Works of public art included at several stations were developed as part of the UTA's Art in Transit program.[6] At first the program was met with skepticism; initially, only the stations constructed in Salt Lake City incorporated public art into their designs. This was the case as the city was initially the only one to take part in the Art in Transit program.[7] The program has since grown in popularity, and many of the stations constructed as part of the FrontLines 2015 expansion will include public art in their final design.[6]

Nearly all stations, except those in Downtown Salt Lake City, have a Park and Ride lot with free parking. TRAX Park and Ride lots may have as few as six parking spaces or as many as nearly 1200. Many of the Downtown Salt Lake City stations are located within the Free Fare Zone which allows riders that both enter and exit TRAX and/or UTA buses service within the Zone to ride with no charge. Stations within the Zone include Arena, City Center, Courthouse, Gallivan Plaza, Library, Old GreekTown, Planetarium, Salt Lake Central, and Temple Square.

All of UTA's TRAX and FrontRunner trains and stations, streetcars and streetcar stops, and all fixed route buses are compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act and are therefore accessible to those with disabilities.[8] Signage at the stations, on the passenger platforms, and on the trains clearly indicate accessibility options. Ramps on the passenger platforms on the Blue Line and assistance from the train operator may be necessary for wheelchair boarding (weekdays only). These ramps are not used on weekends nor on the Red or Green Lines. In accordance with the Utah Clean Air Act and UTA ordinance, "smoking is prohibited on UTA vehicles as well as UTA bus stops, TRAX stations, and FrontRunner stations".[9]

History

A white and red light rail train is stopped at an island platform station in the median of a street. The overhead lines powering the train are visible above the it. A row of mid- and high-rise buildings provides the background.
Blue Line train at Gallivan Plaza station, December 2004

UTA's TRAX began service on December 4, 1999, with the opening of what was then called the Sandy/Salt Lake Line (now called the Blue Line) which ran from Sandy Civic Center to Delta Center (now called Arena).[1] The line saw construction of a pair of infill stations with the opening of 900 South in 2005 and Sandy Expo in 2006 and the 650 South in 2022 as a result of demand for additional service.[10][11] The University Line (TRAX) commenced service on 15 December 2001 between Stadium and Delta Center.[2] The line expanded in April 2008, when three new stations opened between Planetarium and Salt Lake Central.[12] The Sandy/University Line began service on December 17, 2001, between Stadium and Sandy Civic Center.[13] Originally operating on a limited schedule, by August 2009, trains were added to the line serving all stations between Sandy Civic Center and University Medical Center.[14] Expansion as part of the FrontLines 2015 project saw the completion of an additional 25.2 miles (40.6 km) of track by August 2013.[4] The completion of the Airport and Draper extensions added service to the Salt Lake City International Airport and Draper.[4]

Salt Lake Central (which is part of the Salt Lake City Intermodal Hub) connects with FrontRunner commuter rail (with service from Weber County through Davis County and Salt Lake County to Utah County), as well as Amtrak and Greyhound Lines. In addition Murray Central and North Temple Bridge/Guadalupe also connect with FrontRunner. In December 2013 the first phase of the S Line (formerly known as Sugar House Streetcar) project opened for service with a connection at Central Pointe in South Salt Lake.

Stations

Station Name Servicing
Rail Line(s) 		Jurisdiction Date
Opened 		Park & Ride
Spaces[15] 		UTA Bus Routes[Note 1] [Note 2] Reference
600 South  701  TRAX Blue Line
 703  TRAX Red Line
 704  TRAX Green Line 		Salt Lake City July 26, 2022 None [16]
900 East  703  TRAX Red Line Salt Lake City December 15, 2001 None [2]
900 South  701  TRAX Blue Line
 703  TRAX Red Line
 704  TRAX Green Line 		Salt Lake City May 19, 2005 None 9 [10]
1940 West North Temple  704  TRAX Green Line Salt Lake City April 14, 2013 None 217, 453, 454, 456 [17]
2700 West Sugar Factory Road  703  TRAX Red Line West Jordan August 7, 2011 204 227, F578 [18]
4800 West Old Bingham Highway  703  TRAX Red Line
 West Jordan August 7, 2011 244 248, F590 [18]
5600 West Old Bingham Highway  703  TRAX Red Line
 West Jordan August 7, 2011 420 [18]
Airport †  704  TRAX Green Line Salt Lake City April 14, 2013 None 453, 454 [17]
Arena * $  701  TRAX Blue Line
 704  TRAX Green Line 		Salt Lake City December 4, 1999 None 951 [1]
Ballpark  701  TRAX Blue Line
 703  TRAX Red Line
 704  TRAX Green Line 		Salt Lake City December 4, 1999 170 516 [1]
Bingham Junction  703  TRAX Red Line Midvale August 7, 2011 200 [18]
Central Pointe *  701  TRAX Blue Line
 703  TRAX Red Line
 704  TRAX Green Line
 720  S Line streetcar 		South Salt Lake December 4, 1999 57 9, 17, 21 [1]
City Center $  701  TRAX Blue Line
 704  TRAX Green Line 		Salt Lake City December 4, 1999 None [1]
Courthouse * $  701  TRAX Blue Line
 703  TRAX Red Line
 704  TRAX Green Line 		Salt Lake City December 4, 1999 None [1]
Crescent View  701  TRAX Blue Line Sandy August 18, 2013 247 F546 [19][20]
Daybreak Parkway †  703  TRAX Red Line South Jordan August 7, 2011 400 F514, F518, F547 [18]
Decker Lake  704  TRAX Green Line West Valley City August 7, 2011 750 [21]
Draper Town Center †  701  TRAX Blue Line Draper August 18, 2013 438 F546 [19][20]
Fairpark  704  TRAX Green Line Salt Lake City April 14, 2013 Yes 453, 454 [17]
Fashion Place West *  701  TRAX Blue Line
 703  TRAX Red Line 		Murray December 4, 1999 100 62, 209 [1]
Fort Douglas  703  TRAX Red Line Salt Lake City September 29, 2003 None 902 [22]
Gallivan Plaza $  701  TRAX Blue Line
 704  TRAX Green Line 		Salt Lake City December 4, 1999 None [1]
Historic Gardner  703  TRAX Red Line West Jordan August 7, 2011 130 F578 [18]
Historic Sandy  701  TRAX Blue Line Sandy December 4, 1999 316 F94, F590 [1]
Jackson/Euclid  704  TRAX Green Line Salt Lake City April 14, 2013 None 453, 454 [17]
Jordan Valley  703  TRAX Red Line West Jordan August 7, 2011 845 232, 240 [18]
Kimballs Lane  701  TRAX Blue Line Draper August 18, 2013 251 F546, 811 [19][20]
Library $  703  TRAX Red Line Salt Lake City December 15, 2001 None [2]
Meadowbrook  701  TRAX Blue Line
 703  TRAX Red Line 		South Salt Lake December 4, 1999 497 39, 41, 901 [1]
Midvale Center  701  TRAX Blue Line Midvale December 4, 1999 142 213, 525, F578 [1]
Midvale Fort Union  701  TRAX Blue Line
 Midvale December 4, 1999 266 72, F570, 960, 990 [1]
Millcreek  701  TRAX Blue Line
 703  TRAX Red Line 		South Salt Lake December 4, 1999 101 33, 35 [1]
Murray Central‡  701  TRAX Blue Line
 703  TRAX Red Line 		Murray December 4, 1999 750 54, 200, 201, 205 [1]
Murray North  701  TRAX Blue Line
 703  TRAX Red Line 		Murray December 4, 1999 235 45, 47, 228, 954 [1]
North Temple Bridge/Guadalupe‡  704  TRAX Green Line Salt Lake City April 14, 2013 None 6, 209, 500, 516, 520 [17]
Old GreekTown $  701  TRAX Blue Line Salt Lake City April 27, 2008 None 2, 3, 11, 200, 205, 220,
228, 500, 509, 513 		[12]
Planetarium $  701  TRAX Blue Line
 Salt Lake City April 27, 2008 None [12]
Power  704  TRAX Green Line Salt Lake City April 14, 2013 None 217, 453, 454, 456 [17]
Redwood Junction  704  TRAX Green Line West Valley City August 7, 2011 6-9 217 [21]
River Trail  704  TRAX Green Line West Valley City August 7, 2011 100 [21]
Salt Lake Central † $
(Salt Lake Intermodal Hub) 		 701  TRAX Blue Line
 750  FrontRunner 		Salt Lake City April 27, 2008 Very
limited 		2, 2X, 3, 11, 200, 205,
220, 228, 500, 509, 513, 519,
520, 523, 550, 901, 902 		[12]
Sandy Civic Center  701  TRAX Blue Line Sandy December 4, 1999 1185 201, 218, F514, F546, 962, 992 [1]
Sandy Expo  701  TRAX Blue Line Sandy August 28, 2006 None [11]
South Jordan Parkway  703  TRAX Red Line South Jordan August 7, 2011 200 [18]
Stadium  703  TRAX Red Line Salt Lake City December 15, 2001 None 3, 213, 220, 223, 228, 313,
354, 455, 473 		[2]
Temple Square $  701  TRAX Blue Line
 704  TRAX Green Line 		Salt Lake City December 4, 1999 None [1]
Trolley  703  TRAX Red Line Salt Lake City December 15, 2001 None [2]
University Medical Center †  703  TRAX Red Line Salt Lake City September 29, 2003 Limited 21, 213, 473, 902 [22]
University South Campus  703  TRAX Red Line Salt Lake City September 29, 2003 None 9, 17, 213, 223, 228, 313,
354, 455, 473 		[22]
West Jordan City Center  703  TRAX Red Line West Jordan August 7, 2011 221 217, 218 [18]
West Valley Central †  704  TRAX Green Line West Valley City August 7, 2011 80 35, 41, 227, 232, 240,
248, 509, 513, 954 		[21]
An empty island platform station located next to the tracks in the median of the street with canopies visible. Businesses line the street with mountains visible in the distance.
Trolley station, November 2007
A white and red train with the driver visible approaches a station. The overhead wires powering the train are visible with overcast skies and mountains providing the backdrop.
Blue Line train at Murray North station, October 2005
* Official transfer stations between TRAX lines
† Terminal stations
$ Stations within the Free Fare Zone
‡  750  FrontRunner connection at adjacent station

Future stations

The Utah Transit Authority is undertaking a major expansion called FrontLines 2015.[23] As part of this project UTA will add 25.2 miles (40.6 km) of track to the existing 19.6 mi (31.5 km) light-rail network as defined in the Utah Transit Authority's 2030 Long-range Transportation Plan. All of the expansions were completed and opened for service by August 2013 (except the 14600 South and Highland Drive Stations).[23] Six of the stations are part of the Airport extension of the Green Line. Three completed stations and two more proposed stations are or will be part of the Draper extension of the Blue Line.

Station Name Rail Line(s)
Servicing 		Jurisdiction Projected completion Reference
14600 South†  701  TRAX Blue Line Draper Not yet scheduled
Highland  701  TRAX Blue Line Draper Not yet scheduled

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Bus connections only include routes that stop at, or immediately adjacent to, the station and not routes that may have stops "nearby".
  2. ^ Bus routes are current as of Change Day, 8 December 2013

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Van Eyck, Zack (5 Dec 1999). "All aboard TRAX -- riders jam trains UTA overwhelmed by opening day response". Deseret News. Salt Lake City: Deseret Digital Media. Retrieved 4 Mar 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Culler, Leah L. (14 Dec 2001). "All aboard (Saturday) for U. TRAX". Deseret News. Salt Lake City: Deseret Digital Media. Retrieved 4 Mar 2013.
  3. ^ "Public Transportation Ridership Report" (PDF). American Public Transportation Association. 30 Nov 2023. Archived from the original (PDF) on 7 December 2023. Retrieved 27 Dec 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d "FrontLines 2015 – Overview". Utah Transit Authority. Archived from the original on March 31, 2009. Retrieved 14 Jan 2010.
  5. ^ AP Reporters (29 Mar 1999). "Glass art at TRAX stations next test of Salt Lake's taste". The Associated Press State & Local Wire.
  6. ^ a b "UTA Projects/Programs – Art in Transit". Utah Transit Authority. Archived from the original on November 15, 2009. Retrieved 14 Jan 2010.
  7. ^ Van Eyck, Zack (24 Jun 1997). "Should light-rail stations be more than concrete?". Deseret News. Salt Lake City: Deseret Digital Media. Retrieved 4 Mar 2013.
  8. ^ "Fixed Route Accessibility". Utah Transit Authority. Retrieved 13 Mar 2013.
  9. ^ "Rider Rules". Utah Transit Authority. Archived from the original on 2013-03-03. Retrieved 12 Mar 2013.
  10. ^ a b Henetz, Patty (20 Sep 2005). "Riders bustle aboard new TRAX station at 900 South". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City: MediaNews Group. Retrieved 4 Mar 2013.
  11. ^ a b Henetz, Patty (29 Aug 2006). "Sandy Expo station newest TRAX stop". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City: MediaNews Group. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 4 Mar 2013.
  12. ^ a b c d Raymond, Arthur (18 Apr 2008). "UTA to celebrate TRAX extension". Deseret News. Salt Lake City: Deseret Digital Media. Retrieved 4 Mar 2013.
  13. ^ Keahey, John (13 Dec 2001). "TRAX Sets Sandy-to-U. Run". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City. p. D1.
  14. ^ Loomis, Brandon (25 Aug 2009). "TRAX changes bug downtown riders". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City: MediaNews Group. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 4 Mar 2013.
  15. ^ "TRAX Parking and Stops". Utah Transit Authority. Archived from the original on 2012-12-23. Retrieved 15 Dec 2012.
  16. ^ Apgar, Blake (27 July 2022). "There's a new TRAX station. See where you now can hop on and off the train". The Salt Lake Tribune. Archived from the original on 27 July 2022. Retrieved 27 July 2022.
  17. ^ a b c d e f "Airport TRAX Line – Frequently Asked Questions". Utah Transit Authority. Archived from the original on February 26, 2010. Retrieved 14 Jan 2010.
  18. ^ a b c d e f g h i Fidel, Steve (1 Oct 2010). "2011 completion date for two TRAX lines announced". Deseret News. Salt Lake City: Deseret Digital Media. Retrieved 13 Apr 2011.
  19. ^ a b c "Draper Transit Corridor Project" (PDF). Utah Transit Authority. Retrieved 12 Mar 2013.
  20. ^ a b c Reavy, Paul (4 Jun 2013). "State, city and school officials stress safety on new Sandy-Draper TRAX line". Deseret News. Salt Lake City: Deseret Digital Media. Retrieved 26 Jun 2013.
  21. ^ a b c d "West Valley TRAX Line FAQs". Utah Transit Authority. Archived from the original on 2013-12-16. Retrieved 16 Apr 2011.
  22. ^ a b c Baird, Joe (28 Sep 2003). "New TRAX Extension Opens Monday". ksl.com. Salt Lake City: Deseret Digital Media. Associated Press. Retrieved 8 Mar 2013.
  23. ^ a b "FrontLines 2015 – Overview – History". Utah Transit Authority. Archived from the original on January 21, 2010. Retrieved 14 Jan 2010.



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