UTA to open two TRAX lines Aug. 2

The Utah Transit Authority will introduce the Mid-Jordan and West Valley TRAX lines to Salt Lake County during opening ceremonies Aug. 2. The public is invited to ride the trains Aug. 2, but both lines don't officially open until Aug. 7. The Mid-Jordan TRAX line will run down the existing Bingham Branch Railroad corridor in a southwesterly direction branching off of the existing Sandy/Salt Lake light-rail line at the 6400 South TRAX station and extending west to 5600 West. From there, the line will turn south toward Kennecott Land's new Daybreak development in South Jordan, Utah. The West Valley Line is 5.1 miles of ballasted light-rail connecting to the current Sandy Line at 2100 South Street and ending near West Valley City Hall. The line will branch off from the Sandy to Salt Lake TRAX Line at the 2100 South Central Pointe station, traveling west. Bridges will extend the line over the Union Pacific Roper Yard and the Jordan River. It will then run north of the Redwood Nature Area and the Decker Lake drainage canal. The line ends at the West Valley City Hall. This project also includes four new stations. It is estimated to cost between $250 and $290 million.