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Gridlock!
That in a word describes what life could be like along the Wasatch Front in a few years if voters in either Salt Lake or Utah counties next Tuesday fail to approve a quarter-cent sales tax increase to fund vital transportation projects.
In Utah County, the ballot question is titled "Opinion Question," and asks if the Utah County Commission should impose the new tax.
The answer is unequivocally and resoundingly "yes!"
Mostly, the revenue raised would fund a 22-mile commuter rail line from Provo to the Salt Lake County border. A portion of the revenue would go toward other transit and road projects.
But, building the Utah County portion of the line without extending commuter rail from downtown Salt Lake City south to the county border would be almost meaningless. That's why it's critical for Salt Lake County voters to approve County Proposition Number 3. Beyond commuter rail, revenue raised by the tax in Salt Lake County would be used to expand TRAX and acquire land for future crucial highways.
Tax increases are seldom desired by the masses, but this is an instance where they are essential for the overall public good. In KSL's view, it is a small price to pay for avoiding gridlock.
