Lee Davison of the Salt Lake Tribune reports that the light rail projects were "...sped up by residents approving a quarter-cent sales tax increase, arrival of federal stimulus money and even local developers adding money."
Steve Hymon of The Source writes that the two lines, one 10.6 miles long and the other 5.1 miles, were delivered at a total cost of $57.6 million per mile, which is better than average.
Salt Lake City is spending quite a bit on transportation right now, using money earned from a 1/2 cent sales tax.