Overview

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July 2007

UTA, the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), the Wasatch Front Regional Council (WFRC), Kennecott Land Company, and the cities of Murray, Midvale, West Jordan and South Jordan are leading the required federal environmental analysis for the Mid-Jordan Transit Corridor, also known as the Mid-Jordan Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project.  WFRC and UTA have identified the need for a high-capacity transit option in southwest Salt Lake County as part of the region’s 2030 Long-range Transportation Plan.

In August 2005, FTA, UTA and WFRC circulated the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (Draft EIS).  The Draft EIS evaluated a variety of transit alternatives including no action, expanded bus service and the proposed Light Rail Build Alternative. The Light Rail Build Alternative was selected as the locally preferred alternative by WFRC, UTA and the FTA.  Interested citizens and agencies reviewed the Draft EIS, circulated Aug. 5 to Sept. 19, 2005, and submitted comments during this 45-day comment period.  A public hearing was held Aug. 30, 2005, at the West Jordan City Center.  UTA reviewed all comments, questions and issues raised by the agencies and public, and responded to each in the Final EIS.  The Final EIS presents the impacts associated with the project, the mitigation commitments necessary to address these impacts and documents the project’s design and engineering configuration. In addition, UTA held a public open house Aug.31, 2006, to discuss the projects status, particularly the noise and vibration impact analysis.

The Final EIS has been approved for public distribution by the FTA. To review the Final EIS electronically, please click here.  To find a community location to review the Final EIS, click here. Any comments regarding the Final EIS should be submitted to the Regional FTA offices:

Charmaine Knighton, PE
Deputy Regional Administrator
Federal Transit Administration, Region VIII
12300 West Dakota Avenue, Suite 310
Lakewood, Colorado 80228-2583

Completion of the environmental process will conclude with the Record of Decision (ROD) from the FTA.  The ROD is the agreement between FTA and UTA to implement the mitigation measures required for the project.  The project team can then apply to enter Final Design.  After the issuance of the ROD and receipt of a letter of no prejudice from FTA, UTA can begin to perform limited project work and seek matching funds from the FTA for project construction.

UTA anticipates beginning initial construction activities on the Mid-Jordan line this fall.