Davis-SLC Community Connector
Introduction
The Utah Transit Authority is partnering with Bountiful, North Salt Lake, Salt Lake City, the Wasatch Front Regional Council and the Utah Department of Transportation to conduct a transit Alternatives Analysis (AA). The focus of the AA is to better understand current and future transit needs of residents in Southern Davis County through the planning horizon of 2040. The study area includes Bountiful, North Salt Lake, parts of downtown Salt Lake City and connections to the Woods Cross FrontRunner Station. Considering the nature of the corridor and extended potential transit needs further north of the study area, the cities of Woods Cross, West Bountiful, Centerville and Farmington are included as a planning influence area. The area of influence reflects regional considerations in the analysis and selection of future transit options for the study area.
Project MaterialsThe Davis-SLC Community Connector held a pubic open house on December 11, 2013 to explain the study process and present initial corridor alternatives for public feedback. Comments were received at the open house, as well as through email, phone and Open UTA. Many of the questions asked were similar in nature. Here are some of the most common questions asked, along with answer from the project team. Below are the materials that were presented at the open house::
Jurisdiction participation map
Overview (Welcome Presentation)
Background & Orientation
Purpose & Need
Initial Alternatives
Modes & Technologies
Public Involvement
Next Steps
The Davis-SLC Community Connector team held a second open house to discuss detailed alternatives and specific modes. Here are the materials that were presented at the open house.
Open House Information
Alternative A
Alternative B
Background
UDOT and UTA completed a previous study (the South Davis Transit Alternatives Analysis) in spring 2008. Previous efforts built a foundation of data and experience that will be updated and expanded upon to inform the current study and set the stage to identify desired transportation investments. While the previous study selected a preferred mode and alignment as part of its Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA), they are not pre-determined for the current study – all mode and alignment options will be considered of current and future conditions. The opening of FrontRunner commuter rail service and the expansion of the UTA transit system since the study has created new opportunities in the previous study area. The LPA will be selected through a strong public involvement process including input from local officials and the general public. The process for the corridor is iterative, to insure that community needs are met and that feasible solutions can be implemented.
Alternatives Analysis Process
The AA process will identify reasonable modal and multi-modal alternatives and alignment options in the corridor between southern Davis County and downtown Salt Lake City. It includes the following steps:
- Identify study goals and objectives
- Establish purpose and need for improvements
- Identify evaluation criteria for potential alignments
- Identify alignments for initial screening
- Identify alignments for in-depth screening
- Identify Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA)
South Davis Transit Timeline
2004 – Wasatch Front Regional Council releases South Davis Transit Needs Analysis
2004 – Wasatch Front Urban Area Long Range Transportation Plan Update: 2004 - 2030
2005 – The Wasatch Choice for 2040 plan completed by the regional metropolitan planning organizations (WFRC, MAG) in conjunction with local mayors, elected officials and Envision Utah.
2008 – South Davis Transit Study Alternatives Analysis (AA) recommends Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA).
2010 – South Davis Draft Environmental Study Report (ESR) released by UDOT and UTA
2013 – Davis-SLC Community Connector Study kicks off.
2014 – Davis-SLC Community Connector will be complete and recommend an LPA.
2004 – Wasatch Front Urban Area Long Range Transportation Plan Update: 2004 - 2030
2005 – The Wasatch Choice for 2040 plan completed by the regional metropolitan planning organizations (WFRC, MAG) in conjunction with local mayors, elected officials and Envision Utah.
2008 – South Davis Transit Study Alternatives Analysis (AA) recommends Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA).
2010 – South Davis Draft Environmental Study Report (ESR) released by UDOT and UTA
2013 – Davis-SLC Community Connector Study kicks off.
2014 – Davis-SLC Community Connector will be complete and recommend an LPA.
Study Goals and Objectives
The Davis-SLC Community Connector Study is designed to examine ways to:
The Davis-SLC Community Connector Study is designed to examine ways to:
Improve regional connectivity
- Improve transit options between southern Davis County and Salt Lake City
- Provide better connections to regional transit in downtown Salt Lake City
- Improve transit options between southern Davis County and Salt Lake City
- Provide better connections to regional transit in downtown Salt Lake City
Match transportation solutions to potential markets
- Identify viable market segments
- Identify viable market segments
Revitalize corridors
- Improve land use opportunities
- Enhance the urban environment
- Improve land use opportunities
- Enhance the urban environment
Create jobs
- Attract and support business activity
- Increase tax base through development/ redevelopment of urban centers
- Attract and support business activity
- Increase tax base through development/ redevelopment of urban centers
Improve travel through the study area
- Increase mobility options for both North-South and East-West travel
- Integrate with existing transit facilities
- Increase mobility options for both North-South and East-West travel
- Integrate with existing transit facilities
Improve air quality
- Provide local commuters more environmentally-friendly commuting options
- Be part of the solution to address the local air quality problem
- Provide local commuters more environmentally-friendly commuting options
- Be part of the solution to address the local air quality problem
Support the Wasatch Choice for 2040 plan
- Enable interconnection of systems
- Balance jobs and housing
- Enhance regional economy
- Enhance regional collaboration
- Strengthen sense of community
- Protect and enhance the environment
- Enable interconnection of systems
- Balance jobs and housing
- Enhance regional economy
- Enhance regional collaboration
- Strengthen sense of community
- Protect and enhance the environment
Frquently Asked Questions
What is the Davis-SLC Community Connector Study?
The Davis-SLC Community Connector Study is an Alternatives Analysis (AA) being conducted by UTA, WFRC, UDOT, Davis County, Bountiful, North Salt Lake and Salt Lake City.
What is the Davis-SLC Community Connector Study?
The Davis-SLC Community Connector Study is an Alternatives Analysis (AA) being conducted by UTA, WFRC, UDOT, Davis County, Bountiful, North Salt Lake and Salt Lake City.
Which areas are included in the study?
The study area includes Bountiful, North Salt Lake, downtown Salt Lake City and connections to the Woods Cross FrontRunner station. The cities of Woods Cross, West Bountiful, Centerville and Farmington are included as a planning influence area.
The study area includes Bountiful, North Salt Lake, downtown Salt Lake City and connections to the Woods Cross FrontRunner station. The cities of Woods Cross, West Bountiful, Centerville and Farmington are included as a planning influence area.
What is the Davis-SLC Community Connector Study’s objective?
This study will provide a better understanding of current and future transit needs of southern Davis County residents. Additionally, this study is designed to improve regional connectivity, match transportation solutions to potential markets, revitalize corridors, create jobs, improve travel through the study area, improve air quality and support the Wasatch Choice for 2040 plan.
This study will provide a better understanding of current and future transit needs of southern Davis County residents. Additionally, this study is designed to improve regional connectivity, match transportation solutions to potential markets, revitalize corridors, create jobs, improve travel through the study area, improve air quality and support the Wasatch Choice for 2040 plan.
Who is overseeing this transit study?
UTA is leading the study along with the WFRC, UDOT, Davis County, Bountiful, North Salt Lake and Salt Lake City.
UTA is leading the study along with the WFRC, UDOT, Davis County, Bountiful, North Salt Lake and Salt Lake City.
How is the Davis-SLC Community Connector Study different from the 2008 South Davis Transit Study?
The local transit market has changed since the previous study. The UTA system has grown and is now more comprehensive – including the addition of FrontRunner commuter rail service in the previous study area. This study will be more targeted and will cover a smaller geographic area than the previous study. The previous study focused on determining a mode and an LPA. This study will not initially focus on a specific a mode; all modes will be considered leading up to the LPA. Additionally, this study will also build on valuable travel demand data and public feedback received as part of the previous study.
The local transit market has changed since the previous study. The UTA system has grown and is now more comprehensive – including the addition of FrontRunner commuter rail service in the previous study area. This study will be more targeted and will cover a smaller geographic area than the previous study. The previous study focused on determining a mode and an LPA. This study will not initially focus on a specific a mode; all modes will be considered leading up to the LPA. Additionally, this study will also build on valuable travel demand data and public feedback received as part of the previous study.
How long will the study period last?
The study will conclude in spring 2014 with the identification of a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA).
The study will conclude in spring 2014 with the identification of a Locally Preferred Alternative (LPA).
How will study research and data be collected?
Data from previous studies will be updated and expanded upon to inform the current study and set the stage to identify desired transportation investments. Additional travel demand modeling/evaluation, updated land use plans and coordination with local municipalities and agencies will also supplement the data collection effort.
Data from previous studies will be updated and expanded upon to inform the current study and set the stage to identify desired transportation investments. Additional travel demand modeling/evaluation, updated land use plans and coordination with local municipalities and agencies will also supplement the data collection effort.
How will study alternatives be developed?
Once a purpose and need for transit improvements has been established, the study team will evaluate a range of alternatives meeting the criteria identified in the study goals and objectives (see above). Coordination with local municipalities and agencies and input from the general public will aid in the evaluation of alternatives and selection of the eventual LPA.
Once a purpose and need for transit improvements has been established, the study team will evaluate a range of alternatives meeting the criteria identified in the study goals and objectives (see above). Coordination with local municipalities and agencies and input from the general public will aid in the evaluation of alternatives and selection of the eventual LPA.
Will economic benefits associated with this project be considered or just transit benefits?
The study will evaluate both economic and transit benefits of proposed improvements. The study team will closely coordinate land use and future development plans with local municipalities as economic benefits are evaluated.
The study will evaluate both economic and transit benefits of proposed improvements. The study team will closely coordinate land use and future development plans with local municipalities as economic benefits are evaluated.
Public Involvement
UTA has gathered extensive public input from previous studies and is considering previous comments and feedback as it moves forward with this study. Expanded opportunities for public involvement are part of the current study, including regular advisory committee meetings with local government officials, updates to elected officials, a series of community focus groups, meeting with and soliciting feedback from the local business community, presentations to community interest groups and public and online open houses.
Stay Informed and Get Involved
Interested in staying up to date with the latest Davis-SLC Community Connector Study information? Join our mailing list.
UTA has gathered extensive public input from previous studies and is considering previous comments and feedback as it moves forward with this study. Expanded opportunities for public involvement are part of the current study, including regular advisory committee meetings with local government officials, updates to elected officials, a series of community focus groups, meeting with and soliciting feedback from the local business community, presentations to community interest groups and public and online open houses.
Stay Informed and Get Involved
Interested in staying up to date with the latest Davis-SLC Community Connector Study information? Join our mailing list.
We’re interested in hearing what you have to say. Feel free to send us a comment.
Let us know if you’re interested in having a project representative meet with your community interest group or business. We’ll be happy to come speak with your group. Just send us an email or give us a call at 801-236-4798.
Public Comment Opportunities
UTA is interested in your feedback. If you would like to submit input after browsing the materials, you can send us an email or fill out a comment form.
UTA is interested in your feedback. If you would like to submit input after browsing the materials, you can send us an email or fill out a comment form.
Hi Brett,
ReplyDeleteI see that you're following UTA's Davis-SLC Community Connector transit study. I don't know if you've had the chance to come to any of our public open houses, but it seems you may be misinformed about rail coming to Centerville.
The current Davis-SLC transit study is looking at connections between downtown SLC and 500 S. in Bountiful. Areas north of 500 S. are considered "areas of influence" - meaning there are no plans to pursue a transit project in those areas at this time, but because of their proximity to the study area, they influence current decisions.
Going into this study, we were very aware of the results from the previous transit study, and we wanted to start fresh and take a holistic approach that featured an extensive public outreach component. We wanted to make sure we developed a project that was in alignment with public wants and needs.
During the past year, we've held a series of community focus groups, conducted a telephone survey of Davis County residents, held two project open houses, attended a Centerville City transportation open house, sought feedback from the local business community through grassroots meetings and provided enhanced opportunities for people to comment on key project decisions via our online civic engagement forum, Open UTA. As a public relations professional, I have been very pleased with the project team’s commitment to ongoing public outreach. From the beginning, we approached the study as completely mode-neutral. The only goal we had (and still have) is to develop a transit solution that best meets the transit needs of southern Davis County.
Based on technical analysis, discussions with local officials and what we've heard from the public, the project team is going to recommend a bus-based solution to local governments for adoption as a locally preferred alternative. We are currently examining whether this bus-based solution will be an enhanced bus or bus rapid transit (BRT).
I thought I’d comment to try to help clear up any lingering misconceptions. We are only looking at a study area between downtown Salt Lake and 500 South in Bountiful. There are no plans (or funding) to build a transit project (bus or rail) on Centerville's Main Street.
If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact me at mbowman@rideuta.com or 801-236-4798.
Best regards,
Marc Bowman
UTA Public Relations
Hi Brent - sorry about misspelling your name in my previous post.
ReplyDelete