SALT LAKE CITY - In a close vote, the Salt Lake City Council made its decision Tuesday on which direction the Sugar House Streetcar line will head.
The line will start near TRAX in South Salt Lake then head east along 2100 South, but there were two alternatives for what it will do once it hits Sugar House.
Some residents pushed for the line to continue further east on 2100 South until around 1700 East while others called for the line to turn north on 1100 East and stop at 1700 South.
A two-year study found that most residents preferred the 1100 East route, but residents and business owners along that road said it could be devastating to their livelihood.
Thousands of residents have protested, petitioned and called on council members to take their side, and the City Council made that decision in a 4-3 vote on Tuesday, choosing the 1100 East route.
Councilman Luke Garrott didn't vote, saying the public didn't have enough time to weigh in and the vote was rushed.
"This has been framed as strictly a transportation decision and that's a big mistake and I'm disappointed that we're willing to make this decision now," Garrott said.
Another council member suggested stopping the line at 1100 East before moving forward with a final decision on the extension.
Robin Hutcheson, Salt Lake City's transportation director, says that eventually the city may look at expanding the streetcar line along 2100 South as well.
Construction isn't expected to begin for several more years, and once that happens, it'll be an 18-month project.
