SALT LAKE CITY - UTA began tests on the new 6-mile airport TRAX line on Tuesday morning.
The airport line starts out at the Arena Station at 201 West South Temple then heads along North Temple to the Salt Lake City International Airport with six stops along the way.
"Truly the airport TRAX line is the most anticipated of our new lines. People are so excited about it so to have first vehicle coming out here on to TRAX line has a lot of folks excited," said Gerry Carpenter, UTA spokesman.
The first train started its test runs on Tuesday morning, traveling at walking speed with frequent stops to check for clearances, working its way to the mid-point, then returning on the opposite tracks.
UTA officials anticipate at least 10,000 passengers per day on the new line by 2015, which is welcome news for some local businesses who are frustrated with all the construction.
"It's really hard because the customers didn't want to try to find a way to come in. They just stop at the first restaurant they saw open," said Alan Amada, Archi's Burger.
The train is expected to be on the tracks performing the low-speed tests until noon on Wednesday and Thursday. Faster tests will come in the next few weeks.
UTA expects to have the new airport line up and running starting April 14, 2013.
