Salt Lake City, UT — Sugarhouse Trolley

Rail Transit Online, September 2005

A proposed vintage trolley linking the 2100 South TRAX light rail station in South Salt Lake with the Sugar House business district is picking up important political support.  The two-mile (3.2 km) line would have seven stations and operate along an existing but abandoned railroad right-of-way already owned by the Utah Transit Authority that may become a branch of the TRAX system.  The proposal was put together by engineering students at the University of Utah at the request of local businessman Doug White.  A state senator and the city’s mayor have announced their support as has the UTA.  “At some point in time (UTA) might build something there, so it's a corridor in wait — and this would be a good precursor,” UTA chief capital-development officer Michael Allegra told The Salt Lake Tribune, adding there would be a number of issues to resolve.  Ridership has been estimated at 450 daily using two cars.  White has asked students at Westminster College to prepare a business plan this fall and he hopes to ask for funding from the state legislature during its 2006 session.