New Transit Lines Open Early, Under Budget

Local pressure helped keep the project moving forward.

"[I]t was sped up by residents approving a quarter-cent sales tax increase, arrival of federal stimulus money and even local developers adding money. That has also helped quicken other under-contruction TRAX extensions to Draper and Salt Lake City International Airport (both expected to open in 2013), and an extension to Provo of the FrontRunner commuter rail, expected in 2014.

When the two new TRAX lines open permanently for business on Sunday, Allegra said UTA believes it will be the first time that any transit agency in America has opened two new major light-rail lines at the same time. They will more than double the number of train cars operating and nearly double overall TRAX mileage."