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The mayors of Salt Lake City (which includes Sugarhouse) and neighboring South Salt Lake are enthusiastic about the prospects of linking their two communities with a streetcar line. KSL shares their enthusiasm.
They offer a persuasive argument for building a line that will connect Sugarhouse with the existing TRAX line at the Central Pointe station. Most significantly, it would likely boost economic development. That is precisely what has occurred in other similar sized cities that have invested in streetcar lines. Such lines also tend to reduce congestion, while encouraging the concept of livable and walkable communities.
Streetcars are different than light rail. They're slower, they make more frequent stops, and they are much less expensive to construct. UTA already owns the corridor where the proposed line would be built.
KSL likes the idea of streetcars in strategic areas. The Sugarhouse-South Salt Lake line is a natural. In time it could be extended, as some are suggesting, to other eastside neighborhoods. There is also talk of eventually establishing a network of streetcars near downtown Salt Lake City.
Our biggest concern is paying for it. If reasonable funding sources can be found, KSL believes a system of streetcars, in time, could be a beneficial addition to the area's ambiance, along with helping people get around.
