SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah Transit Authority's Airport TRAX Line, which connects downtown Salt Lake City to the Salt Lake City International Airport, is scheduled to open Sunday.
Construction on the six-mile light rail extension began in late 2008 and cost more than $350 million to build. UTA says it's their most anticipated route.
"We have heard ever since we opened the line, people have always asked us when are we going to the airport. And really the airport is only a part of it. There are neighborhoods along North Temple. Not they have the opportunity to ride it as well," said Paul O'Brien, rail service general manager.
Local business owners hope the new line will bring more business to North Temple along the west side of Salt Lake City.
"It's changed the whole face of North Temple. It's make it into this gateway into the city. Where we are going to have thousands of people every single day going up and down being exposed to those businesses. And we're are going to have people say I'm going to stop off and go to that restaurant," said UTA spokesman Chad Saley.
The new extension is part of the Green Line from West Valley City. It also connects to FrontRunner, which runs from Weber County to Provo.
TRAX trains will leave from Terminal 1 every 15 minutes and will travel up to 60 mph before making the first of five stops along North Temple.
The new line has five stops along North Temple at the following locations:
- 409 W North Temple
- 820 W North Temple
- 1150 W
- 1480 W
- 1940 W
In a special preview event, UTA will allow people to ride on the new TRAX line between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Saturday if they donate canned goods for the Utah Food Bank.
For more information, visit the Utah Transit Authority's website.
