University Line (TRAX)

The University Line is an obsolete designation to a light rail line of Utah Transit Authority's (UTA) TRAX system in Salt Lake City. It was the second TRAX line opened by UTA, after the Sandy/Salt Lake Line opened in 1999. The original line ran from the Delta Center (now Arena) Station to the Stadium Station, which is west of the Rice-Eccles Stadium on the University of Utah campus. The eastern end of the line was extended to the University Medical Center Station in 2003, and the western end was extended in 2008 to the new Salt Lake City Intermodal Hub (Salt Lake Central). The University Line continued running under that name through August 6, 2011, after which this designation was no longer used following a system redesign. The University of Utah is now served by the Red Line.

University Line
A University train near the Frank E. Moss Federal Courthouse
Overview
StatusObsolete designation
OwnerUtah Transit Authority (UTA)
LocaleSalt Lake City
 United States
TerminiDelta Center/Arena (20012008)
Salt Lake Central (20082011)
Stadium (20012003)
University Medical Center (20032011)
Stations14
Service
TypeLight rail
SystemTRAX
Route numberUTA Route 702
Operator(s)UTA
History
OpenedDecember 15, 2001[1]
ClosedAugust 6, 2011
Technical
Number of tracks2
Track gauge1,435 mm (4 ft 8 12 in) standard gauge
ElectrificationOverhead catenary
Route diagram
The FrontRunner: north to Ogden
Salt Lake Central
Old GreekTown
Planetarium
Arena (formerly called Delta Center)
Temple Square
City Center
Gallivan Plaza
  North/South Line (Route 701)
  Sandy/University Line (Route 703)
Library
Free Fare Zone stations above this line ↑
Trolley
900 East
Stadium
University South Campus
Fort Douglas
University Medical Center

History

In April 2001, a three-week closure of the Sandy/Salt Lake line's northern portion, between Gallivan Plaza and Arena stations, in Downtown occurred when the switch at 400 South Main Street was built to accommodate the University Line's western turn into Downtown.[2] The first 2.3-mile (3.7 km) segment of the University Line opened on Saturday December 15, 2001 with service from the Delta Center to Rice-Eccles Stadium at a cost of $148.5 million, ahead of schedule and in time for the 2002 Winter Olympics, despite concerns that it would not be open in time.[1] The entire UTA network (TRAX and buses) was free to all riders on opening day.[1] The $89.4 million extension from Rice-Eccles Stadium to the University Medical Center opened in September 2003, a full 15 months ahead of schedule, adding 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of track and three new stations: University South Campus, Fort Douglas, and University Medical Center.[3]

Route description

The TRAX University Line was designated as UTA route 702.

Originally starting at the Delta Center (now Vivint Smart Home Arena) at South Temple Street and 300 West, the end of the line was extended several blocks to Salt Lake Central (Salt Lake City Intermodal Hub) in 2008, where it connects with the FrontRunner. The extension started at 250 South 600 West and proceeded north a half block to 200 South, stopping at Old GreekTown. The line then proceeded to 500 West and turned north and then east, stopping at the Arena (next to the Vivint Smart Home Arena). From the extension the route followed South Temple Street, turning south to Main Street. The line diverted at 400 South, heading east and ending its sharing of track with the Sandy/Salt Lake Line. Traveling on 400 South, trains would stop at Library, Trolley, and 900 East & 400 South before entering the University of Utah campus. Trains turned north at University Street, and then east at South Campus Drive and stopping at Stadium. The route continued on South Campus Drive to Wasatch Drive before stopping at University South Campus. Finally, it turned north at Wasatch Drive and followed that street to Fort Douglas and eventually terminating at University Medical Center, just south east of the Medical Center campus.

Stations

Station Address[4] Connections Notes
Salt Lake Central
(Salt Lake Intermodal Hub)
250 South 600 West The FrontRunner
Amtrak California Zephyr
Greyhound Lines
Terminus
Old GreekTown 200 South 500 West Sandy/Salt Lake Line  
Planetarium 200 South 400 West Sandy/Salt Lake Line  
Arena 301 West South Temple Sandy/Salt Lake Line Formerly Delta Center
Former teminus
Temple Square 132 West South Temple Sandy/Salt Lake Line  
City Center 100 South Main Street Sandy/Salt Lake Line  
Gallivan Plaza 300 South Main Street Sandy/Salt Lake Line  
Library 225 East 400 South Last station within the
Free Fare Zone
Trolley 625 East 400 South  
900 East & 400 South 875 East 400 South  
Stadium 1349 East 500 South Former terminus until Medical
Center extension completed
University South Campus 1790 East South Campus Drive  
Fort Douglas 200 South Wasatch Drive
(now Mario Capecchi Drive)
 
University Medical Center 10 North Medical Drive
(now Mario Capecchi Drive)
Terminus

References

  1. Culler, Leah. "All aboard (Saturday) for U. TRAX". Deseret News. Google News Archives. pp. B3. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
  2. Van Eyck, Zack (April 27, 2001). "TRAX will stop short for 3 weeks". Deseret News. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
  3. Fattah, Geoffrey (September 30, 2003). "UTA extends TRAX line to U. med center". Deseret News. FindArticles. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
  4. TRAX & FrontRunner Map (Map). Utah Transit Authority. 2008. Retrieved August 12, 2009.
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