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Tonya Papanikolas Reporting Drivers who go past the Gateway or use 200 South in downtown Salt Lake, be warned, long-term lane closures are coming soon. Starting next week, construction begins on a new TRAX expansion.
Starting next week, the Utah Transit Authority will begin construction on a Salt Lake project that adds two more stops downtown and connects TRAX with one main transportation hub.
On a night like tonight, people going to Jazz games love using TRAX because the arena stop is so close to their destination. But within a year and a half, TRAX will go even further, past the Gateway.
Anthony Campos, TRAX Rider: "Instead of getting off here and walking, I'd get off over there and walk like 10 feet to the Gateway instead of like 200 feet."
With the expansion, TRAX will go from the Arena Station, past the Gateway, past a stop on 200 South and end up on 600 West at the Intermodal Hub.
Justin Jones, UTA Spokesman: "This is where frontrunner, commuter rail, will come. This is where TRAX will come, our local bus service, Amtrak, Greyhound, everything's gonna be right here."
The TRAX line will eventually be built right alongside this sidewalk. It will go across this street. A platform will be next to it, and on the other side will be commuter rail.
Janice Pettit, Bus Rider: "I won't have to find a parking place, and it's just gonna make it so much easier."
Kathy McDonald, TRAX Rider: "That way you don't have to look where, you know, where to find my next train or bus. It can just be right there all in one area."
Construction will likely create headaches along the way. Half a block along 100 South will be closed off starting Monday. Areas of 400 West along the Gateway and 200 South will be narrowed to one lane.
The Bridge Vegan Cafe along 2nd South worries they won't have enough parking for customers.
David Montoya, The Bridge Cafe: "It will make it more difficult and harder to access for the people who are interested."
The Salon next door has already decided to move, and other businesses say they hope customers will continue their support during construction.
David Montoya: "People really don't want hammer drills pounding away while they're drinking and studying."
Again, lane closures begin on Monday. They're going to last through May 2008, when the project is expected to be finished at a projected cost of 45-million dollars.
