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DRAPER — The Utah Department of Transportation has released plans for its phased approach to roll out the Point of the Mountain Transit Project.
The plans include an anticipated $945 million investment into the buildout of a light rail transit system (the system currently used for Utah Transit Authority's TRAX system). The schedule for its completion will be established as funding plans are developed for the project, according to the transit study.
"We have some major opportunities for economic development in the area," said Marcus Bennett, project manager at Utah Transit Authority. "We know that employment and population will grow in this area. Let's plan transit to be prepared to meet the demands. We know that transit can act as a drive of economic development there and throughout the area."
The project will reside with the Utah Department of Transportation through construction, with UTA continuing as a partner in the project. Once construction is complete, UTA will be responsible for all transit operations.
During the 2022 session, the Utah Legislature passed HB322, requiring UDOT to manage and oversee all fixed guideway capital development projects that include state funding.
Before the development of any light rail system, UDOT identified a Phase 1 plan to establish "innovative mobility zones" in the region.
An innovative mobility zone, according to UDOT, is an area that provides flexible transit services including dedicated shuttles and on-demand ride services (potentially provided by the Utah Transit Authority), bike share and partnerships with private transportation companies like Uber and Lyft.
Phase 1 of the project would include an innovative mobility zone for The Point within Draper and Bluffdale, and serving the Draper FrontRunner station and The Point development area.
Related:
Redevelopment plans announced for first phase of The Point at former state prison site
The site of the old state prison in Draper will soon look a lot different as plans were released Monday outlining the first phase of development for The Point.The site of the old state prison in Draper will soon look a lot different as plans were released Monday outlining the first phase of development for The Point.Another innovative mobility zone would be located in Lehi, serving the Lehi FrontRunner station and surrounding area to the east of I-15 along state Route 92 and Triumph Boulevard.
UDOT estimates an annual operating cost of $3 million for the two innovative mobility zones.
Pending environmental review, it is anticipated that UDOT will select the light rail transit option as the preferred mode for the second phase of the Point of the Mountain Transit Project.
Passed during the 2022 legislative session, HB3 appropriated $75 million in state funds for the full implementation of the project and the total capital cost for the project is estimated at $945 million with an estimated ongoing operations and maintenance cost of $6.3 million.
"New state and/or local funding sources will be required to meet funding needs and for full project implementation," said the latest transit study from UDOT.
As the project is still in its early stages, people can submit comments and questions to the project team through the project website, by emailing pointtransit@utah.gov or by phone at 385-374-9992.
