By Cathy McKitrick
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated:11/14/2006 12:53:19 AM MSTSOUTH SALT LAKE - About six years ago, Douglas White got the idea to restore trolley travel from South Salt Lake to Sugar House along an old Union Pacific rail line.
Today, that notion has become a full-blown obsession, White said. And with the Salt Lake Valley's growing transit needs, his concept is starting to gather traction.
The old track, now owned by Utah Transit Authority, runs along 2200 South from 1100 East to 250 West - a 1.8-mile route linking Sugar House to the planned Market Station development in South Salt Lake.
"I've had discussions with South Salt Lake and UTA. G.J. LaBonty [of UTA] informed me we're officially one of their alternatives to be considered," White said, adding that UTA's transit alternative study for the Sugar House spur is just getting underway.
Monday night, White outlined his vision of a locally-sponsored streetcar system to a handful of interested folks at South Salt Lake's Pioneer Craft House.
By setting up a cooperative between White's Sugar House Trolley Association, UTA, Salt Lake City, South Salt Lake, Salt Lake County and other interested entities, White said he hopes to avoid "the red tape that occurs when you go Federal."
He has a lead on several streetcar options - for $25,000 a company in England will ship him a refurbished hybrid vehicle he can lease for $1 a year.
Thebattery-charged vehicle would recharge as it travels every half mile, stop every quarter mile and top out at speeds of 20 to 25 mph, White said.
Other options include refurbishing much older streetcars, such as the Bamberger, which used to run from Preston, Idaho, south to Price - and now sits idle at Ogden's Union Station.
White estimates the project's total cost at $8 million.
"It would cost $40 million to put in a
light-rail system along that route. This would provide the same service for much less, and would double as a tourist attraction," he said.
The Parley's Rails, Trails and Tunnels Coalition (PRATT) hopes to install a trail along the Sugar House spur as part of the 8-mile Parleys Creek Corridor Trail. The trail and single-line transit could coexist in the same transit corridor, White said.
"It's a great idea - it would be the best utilization for all areas up and down that trail, serving as a great community tie-in along the whole route," said Emil Kmet, a Sugar House community council member.
White plans to host another meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 9 at the Pioneer Craft House, 3271 S. 500 East.
More information can be found atwww.sugarhousetrolley.org
cmckitrick@sltrib.com
SugarHouse Trolley and other Utah Trams, Trolleys, Light Rail info
Today, that notion has become a full-blown obsession, White said. And with the Salt Lake Valley's growing transit needs, his concept is starting to gather traction.
The old track, now owned by Utah Transit Authority, runs along 2200 South from 1100 East to 250 West - a 1.8-mile route linking Sugar House to the planned Market Station development in South Salt Lake.
"I've had discussions with South Salt Lake and UTA. G.J. LaBonty [of UTA] informed me we're officially one of their alternatives to be considered," White said, adding that UTA's transit alternative study for the Sugar House spur is just getting underway.
Monday night, White outlined his vision of a locally-sponsored streetcar system to a handful of interested folks at South Salt Lake's Pioneer Craft House.
By setting up a cooperative between White's Sugar House Trolley Association, UTA, Salt Lake City, South Salt Lake, Salt Lake County and other interested entities, White said he hopes to avoid "the red tape that occurs when you go Federal."
He has a lead on several streetcar options - for $25,000 a company in England will ship him a refurbished hybrid vehicle he can lease for $1 a year.
Thebattery-charged vehicle would recharge as it travels every half mile, stop every quarter mile and top out at speeds of 20 to 25 mph, White said.
Other options include refurbishing much older streetcars, such as the Bamberger, which used to run from Preston, Idaho, south to Price - and now sits idle at Ogden's Union Station.
White estimates the project's total cost at $8 million.
"It would cost $40 million to put in a
The Parley's Rails, Trails and Tunnels Coalition (PRATT) hopes to install a trail along the Sugar House spur as part of the 8-mile Parleys Creek Corridor Trail. The trail and single-line transit could coexist in the same transit corridor, White said.
"It's a great idea - it would be the best utilization for all areas up and down that trail, serving as a great community tie-in along the whole route," said Emil Kmet, a Sugar House community council member.
White plans to host another meeting at 7 p.m. Jan. 9 at the Pioneer Craft House, 3271 S. 500 East.
More information can be found at
cmckitrick@sltrib.com
