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Commuter rail is an important cog in the plan to keep Wasatch Front residents mobile in coming decades. It is why KSL is happy to note that the project’s 44-mile first phase from Salt Lake City to Pleasant View in Weber County is a step closer to being built.

Federal approval has been given to the project’s draft environmental impact statement (EIS). Now, the EIS is being circulated for a required 45-day public review and comment period.

KSL encourages broad participation in the process, especially at the four public hearings and open houses to be held later this month.

The Utah Transit Authority lists three primary goals for the commuter rail system, which eventually is projected to stretch south as far as Payson:

  1. Make it the most cost-effective system in the nation.
  2. Provide the highest quality experience for the rider.
  3. Do it at the lowest possible cost to the public.

The goals are laudable, and we believe, achievable. Especially significant is the fact most of the line will be built on 175 miles of existing railroad right-of-ways secured from Union Pacific in an historic agreement reached in 2002.

Still, it can’t be done without affecting people and the existing environment. If there are concerns, they need to be voiced and resolved. Now is the time to speak out and be heard.

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