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Richard Piatt ReportingThe proposal to get four new TRAX lines built 10 years early, for a price, could be on the fast track. Within a few weeks, Salt Lake's County Council will decide whether to let voters decide about the 1-billion dollar project.
There is already a buzz about the new TRAX lines, especially the one that goes to the airport. The others would go from the main line out to West Valley City; one would go through West Jordan, South Jordan and out to Daybreak. And there would be an extension down to Draper.
Four new TRAX lines by 2014 instead of 2025, that's the pitch. Even though that accelerated schedule is pricey for taxpayers, there is already a lot of support. UTA's John English says the price of gasoline is just one reason.
John English, Utah Transit Authority: "We're dealing with real serious traffic congestion on our freeways, we're dealing with environmental issues."
All these new lines can be done 11 years early, but for a cost. The owner of a 200-thousand dollar home in Salt Lake County might see an increase of between 65-and-95 dollars a year on their property tax bill. That would pay for a loan, or bond worth 875-million dollars.
The Salt Lake County council takes that kind of tax increase seriously. Its task is to decide if Salt Lake County voters will vote themselves on that hefty hike.
Mark Crockett, Salt Lake County Council: "I think we understand the project and why we need to fund it. The question is how does it stack up against what else we have to fund."
Jim Bradley, Salt Lake County Council: "I believe the people of Salt Lake County understand the needs, and for a good purpose are willing to spend the money."
TRAX is popular; more than 58-thousand people ride the existing lines every day, that's triple what UTA expected.
A recent Dan Jones poll for KSL and the Deseret Morning news shows overwhelming support--92 percent--for the expansion. Even when asked about the tax increase, support is still 61 percent of the 571 people Dan Jones surveyed.
To make all these extensions a reality, it's going to cost 1.2 Billion dollars. UTA is also using federal funding to pay for it.
