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Developer's Sway Reroutes Rail, Upsets Residents

Posted by: Nate Berg

2 September 2007 - 11:00am

Salt Lake City residents are upset over a developer using his powerful clout to reroute a planned light rail line so it would not interfere with access points to his shopping mall.

"Residents of Salt Lake City's west side are accusing the city and the Utah Transit Authority of bowing to the influence of a powerful developer to move the route for the airport TRAX line west into neighborhoods, and away from The Gateway mall."

"Residents say shifting the airport line west would hurt views from their homes, increase traffic and crime, and contribute to perceptions that physical and sociological barriers exist between Salt Lake City's west side and downtown."

"Last October, Boyer Co., which owns much of The Gateway, donated $10,000 to a campaign aimed at getting voters to approve a tax increase for new TRAX light-rail lines and commuter rail."

"Boyer officials worry that one option would increase traffic and limit access to The Gateway mall, according to company president Jake Boyer."

Full Story: Alternate TRAX route draws west-siders' ire
Source: Deseret Morning News, August 31, 2007
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