Frequently Asked Questions

General

1. What route will the planned Mid-Jordan project follow?
   
   The project is planned to parallel the existing Bingham Branch Railroad in a southwesterly direction from the 6400 South TRAX station on the Sandy/Salt Lake light rail line to 5600 West south of Welby Junction. From there, the line will turn south toward Kennecott Land’s new Daybreak development in South Jordan. A map of the project can be found by clicking here.
   
   
2. How will the Mid-Jordan project interface with the existing TRAX system?
   
   The line will connect with the Sandy/Salt Lake TRAX station at 6400 South (Fashion Place West). Once through the station, Mid-Jordan trains will continue north to the Arena Station (formerly the Delta Center Station) in downtown Salt Lake City.
   
   
3. What if I want to go south toward Sandy City?
   
   Passengers wanting to travel south can transfer from a Mid-Jordan train at the 6400 South (Fashion Place West) to a Sandy-bound train.
   
   
4. How long is the project?
   
   The project is 10.6 miles long.
   
   
5. Where exactly will the light rail tracks be located in the corridor?
   
   Tracks for the project are planned to be constructed generally in the center of the right-of-way and parallel to the approximately where the existing freight track is located in the Bingham Branch railroad corridor.
   
   
6. What’s the train frequency for the project?
   
   UTA initially plans to run trains on 15-minute headways, as is the practice for the existing system. The headways will change to meet increasing ridership demand.
   
   
7. How many stations will be located on the line?
   
   Nine new stations and one new platform at the 6400 South (Fashion Place West) station are planned for the Mid-Jordan Project including:
   
   - 6400 South (Fashion Place West Station, new platform)
   - Bingham Junction Station
   - Gardner Village Station
   - Redwood Road Station
   - 2700 West Station
   - Bangerter Highway Station
   - 4800 West Station
   - 5600 West Station
   - Daybreak North Station
   - Daybreak South Station

   These 10 station locations were selected from 25 potential locations. Station locations were determined after an evaluation of the following:
   
   - Current development
   - Future development plans
   - Major destinations/ridership
   - City input
   - Feasibility
   - Available transportation infrastructure and bus accessibility
   - Spacing distance
   - Environment including wetlands, cultural resources and farmlands

Environmental

1. When was the environmental study completed?
   
   UTA, in cooperation with the Federal Transit Administration and local partners Wasatch Front Regional Council, the cities of Murray, Midvale, West Jordan, South Jordan, and Kennecott Land Company, completed an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Mid-Jordan Project. The EIS was completed in accordance with the requirements of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), and all applicable federal and state law. The Draft EIS was published in July 2005; a 45-day public comment period was held from August 5, 2005 to September 19, 2005 and a public hearing/open house was conducted on August 30, 2005 in West Jordan. Additionally, informational open houses were held in April and August 2006. The Final EIS was published in July 2007. FTA issued the Record of Decision in September 2007. The Record of Decision effectively completes the environmental study for the project and solidifies the mitigation commitments for the project. In October 2007, UTA held another informational public open house to discuss the Final EIS and Record of Decision, as well as the project next steps.
   
   
2. What work is currently being done on the project?
   
   Several things are happening with the project currently:
   
   -UTA is working with FTA to secure the Federal funding to construct the project.
   
   -UTA is completing Final Design on the project. The environmental study only included a preliminary level of design in order to determine project and environmental impacts and related mitigation.
   
   -UTA and their contractor, Team Kiewit-Herzog-Parsons (KHP) Joint Venture, have been working on construction scheduling, pricing, ordering materials, and property acquisition in anticipation of construction beginning in May 2008.
   
   -UTA’s contractor, Team KHP has commenced grading for the track alignment in the Daybreak segment.
   
   -UTA is working with local, state, and federal jurisdictions to obtain necessary permits for construction work
   
   -The project impacts .32 acres of wetlands. To mitigate this impact, UTA is participating in a restoration project along the banks of the Jordan River at approximately 5400 South. This project is a partnership with Murray City and Salt Lake County, and approved by the Army Corps of Engineers. The work began in May 2008 and is expected to be completed in late June 2008. The work can been seen from the Jordan River Parkway Trail, just south of 5400 South.
   
   
3. I am concerned about noise. What is being done to mitigate for light rail and freight noise?
   
   As part of the Final EIS, UTA completed a noise analysis to evaluate impacts created due to the implementation of the light rail project. The analysis was completed in accordance with the requirements of the FTA Transit Noise and Vibration Impact Assessment guidance document (Report FTA-VA-90-1003-06, May 2006). The analysis looked at the projected noise increase due to light rail above the existing noise environment; the analysis included the existing freight operations. The noise analysis looked at both daytime light rail operations as well as operations of freight between midnight and 5:00 am.
   
   The noise analysis shows that there will be an increase in noise levels due to light rail and freight. Therefore, UTA will mitigate this increase in the following ways:
   
   -UTA will install noise mitigation barriers generally between 5200 West and 1300 West and at Daniel Way for a total of 4.5 miles of mitigation
   
   -UTA will work with the cities to apply for a corridor Quiet Zone. A Quiet Zone will mean that no trains will sound their horns in the Mid-Jordan Corridor, including the freight trains, except in emergency situations or when there is a safety concern.
   
   -UTA will consider special track work at turn-outs
   
   -UTA will install continuously welded rail, which is an upgrade to the current freight track with new concrete ties rather than wood, improved ballast sections, and vibration mats to mitigate ground borne sound vibration.
   
   
4. What does “sound mitigation” mean? What does “barrier” mean?
   
   As per the FTA manual, mitigation of noise from transit projects may involve treatments at three fundamental components of the noise problem: 1) at the noise source; 2) along the source-to-receiver propagation path or 3) at the receiver. As per the EIS the impacts on the Mid-Jordan project are primarily caused by the rail-to-wheel interaction, the vehicle system, and audible warnings of the train horns or crossing bells. Generally, sound barriers placed close to the rails see a 6-10 decibel reduction; likewise, a sound barrier placed on the right-of-way line sees a 3-10 decibel reduction.
   
   An effective sound barrier is intended to break the line-of-sight between the noise source and receiver. A noise barrier can be made out of any outdoor weather-resistant solid material. This can take the form of a solid, concrete wall or an earthen berm.
   
   
5. Isn’t the sound coming from the tops of the freight locomotives? Shouldn’t the barriers be taller?
   
   The primary sources of noise impact in the Mid-Jordan corridor are from the wheel-to-rail interaction, the train horns, and audible warning devices at grade crossings. The EIS does discuss that the freight locomotive is 8 feet above the top of the rail. The project is mitigating for the increase in the existing noise environment from the light rail project and freight operations at night. The Quiet Zone will effectively eliminate the horn noise impacts. Likewise, the barriers have been sized accordingly to deal with the source/receiver interface.
   
   
6. Will the noise barrier be built right on my property line?
   
   No. In nearly all cases, the noise barrier must be placed a minimum of 1 foot off the UTA property line and could be as far away as 100 feet. Noise barriers are more effective when placed closer to the noise source, i.e., the TRAX and freight trains. Further, UTA will not disturb adjacent property unless right-of-way constraints or other circumstance warrant requiring easements or taking of sliver parcels of property.
   
   
7. How will UTA maintain the corridor?
   
   UTA will spray to control weeds and grasses within the rail track bed envelope generally 10 feet from the center line of track. Weeds will be controlled using dormant weed spray. Periodically, UTA will also tend to park-and-ride landscaping and trash maintenance. Open areas within the corridor will be maintained with periodic maintenance. Property owners are always encouraged to alert UTA if they identify a problem or concern with the right-of-way.
   
   
8. How is safety in the corridor being addressed?
   
   Prior to beginning light rail operation, UTA will provide Operation Lifesaver (railway safety education program) presentations to students at all elementary and secondary schools with walking paths that cross the Mid-Jordan line, as well as to any other schools or organizations that request a safety presentation.
   
   Access to the UTA owned right-of-way is strictly prohibited. If you are aware of illegal activity within the rail corridor or at station locations, you should immediately call your local police department and/or the UTA Transit Police at 287-EYES.
   

Construction

1. How is the project being constructed?
   
   UTA has elected to use what is called a “Design/Build” construction method. This means that construction begins and progresses while design is being finished. It is a fast-track method to implementing a project and usually results in the project being completed in much less time than a tradition design-then-construct method.
   
   
2. When will construction start?
   
   Preliminary construction activity began on May 15, 2008. The preliminary construction work will include corridor grading, utility potholing, utility relocations, grade crossings, structures, and earthwork and drainage. The project website includes the project preliminary construction schedule through 2009, which shows all planned activities by project segment.
   
   
3. How will I know if my area will be affected by construction?
   
   The project website will be updated frequently to provide area-specific construction updates, including impacts to local roadways.
   
   
4. Will there be road closures?
   
   UTA and their contractor will make every effort to keep roadways open to the public during construction; however, there may be times when closures are required such as at grade-crossings. Every effort will be done to ensure adequate advance notice is provided.
   
   
5. What time of day will the construction crews be working behind my house?
   
   Construction crews typically work between 7:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. If any after-hours or weekend work is required, UTA will provide ample notice to adjacent property owners as well as coordinate with the City.
   
   
6. How long will there be construction behind my house?
   
   Construction activities will vary throughout the corridor. Depending on your location, you can expect construction activity to last anywhere from 2 weeks to the entire length of the project. Please contact us for more information about your area.
   
   
7. Will you need to be on my property during construction?
   
   To the extent possible, UTA will work within the railroad right-of-way; however, in some cases access to private property may be required. If that is the case, UTA will obtain a temporary construction easement from the property owner and/or work on a case-by-case basis for access.
   
   
8. Will you remove the existing fence/wall behind my house? What if it is right up against your right-of-way?
   
   UTA will not disturb adjacent property -including existing fences- unless right-of-way constraints or other circumstance warrants it. If it is necessary to remove existing fences, UTA will work with the individual property owner on compensation or replacement.
   
   
9. When will the stations be built?
   
   Construction on four stations will begin in late 2008 and the remainder will begin in early-to-mid 2009. The station sites are all subject to municipal site plan approvals. All stations are anticipated to open concurrent with revenue service.
   
   
10. When will trains start running on the line?
    
    Currently, the target opening date of the line is 2011-2012. Testing of track, overhead catenaries, and vehicles on the line could begin in early 2011. The construction schedule continues to be developed and is contingent upon receiving the final funding package from the Federal Transit Administration. As the project progresses, updates will be continuously added to the project website.

Funding/Schedule

1. How is this project being funded?
   
   The Mid-Jordan Transit Corridor is funded by both federal and matching local sources. UTA is working closely with the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) on the funding package, called the Full Funding Grant Agreement. UTA anticipates receiving approval of the FFGA in October 2008. In November 2007, FTA approved a Letter of No Prejudice (LONP) for the Mid-Jordan Transit Corridor, which allows UTA to proceed with the purchase of long lead materials items and limited construction activities, such as grading for corridor access, utility potholing, survey and relocation, construction of major fills, and construction of bridge abutments and walls necessary to support fills. This LONP approval will allow UTA to include construction monies spent since the fall of 2007 into the FFGA. The project local matching funds are part of the sales tax increase passed by Salt Lake County voters in November 2006.
   
   
2. When will the project open?
   
   Currently, the target opening date of the line is 2011-2012. As the project progresses, updates will be continuously added to the project website.
   
   

Public Information

1. How do I contact the UTA project team or contractor?
   
   There are a number of ways to keep in touch with the Mid-Jordan team.
   - Our website at http://www.rideuta.com/projects/midJordanLightRail/default.aspx
   - Call us at 888-550-2211
   - E-mail us at mid-jordanline@hwlochner.com
   - Write us at:
   Mid-Jordan TRAX Line
   310 East 4500 South
   Suite 600
   Salt Lake City, Utah 84107