Salt Lake Transit News Thread

[delts145]

It's prime time for electric cars

Automakers jockey for lead in the race to develop plug-ins

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1...ck=rotator:cvr


Tom Stephens, GM group vice president of global powertrain and quality, shows off the Saturn Vue Green Line Plug-in Hybrid at the North American International Auto Show on Monday. Production may begin as soon as 2010


Chrysler introduced its Zeo concept vehicle at the auto show. Chrysler says it will offer distinctive designs on the alol-electric Zeo. (Paul Sancya, Associated Press)

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[delts145]

Interstate 80
Driver woes mount as reconstruction job continues
Commuters' fear of accidents intensifies after pileup; they say signs, lanes poorly marked

http://www.sltrib.com/ci_8024355


Travelers heading west into the Interstate 80 construction zone between 1300 East and State Street have complained of poorly marked lanes and exits. (Steve Griffin/The Salt Lake Tribune)


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[delts145]

Delta: Leave us out of airport rail spur


http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_8071858

Salt Lake City has a $35 million tab looming for airport rail construction, but the airport's top customer wants no part of it.

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[urbanboy]

Becker sets meeting on Delta merger plan

Salt Lake City Mayor Ralph Becker will host the first meeting of the newly formed Air Transportation Promotion Alliance at 6 p.m. Monday in the Cannon Room of the Salt Lake City-County Building, 451 S. State.

The coalition of government and community leaders was organized by Becker and Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. to address a possible Delta Air Lines merger. Delta reportedly is considering merging with either Northwest Airlines or United Airlines.

In addition to Becker and Huntsman, the Air Transportation Promotion Alliance will include four state legislators — one Republican and one Democrat from the Senate, and one Republican and one Democrat from the House. Those members will be appointed by legislative party leaders.

http://deseretnews.com/article/1,5143,695247405,00.html

[delts145]

Kimball growth near?

Traffic plan may ease Wal-Mart expansion


http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_8114851

The sticking point - traffic that bottles up the area during morning and evening rush hours.



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[delts145]

I-15, New bridges - New commuter lane

UDOT open house today on new express lane

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1...248830,00.html

[Future Mayor]

$1.2M could bring Logan an air service

... Frontier was interested in Logan becoming one of the midsized communities feeding passengers into its Denver hub.

http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_8124830

With the likely merger of Delta and NW, leading to more international flights, a redesigned and expanded SL Int Airpot, a new St George Airport on its way and commercial service to Logan, all these factors are good things for the overall economy of Utah.

I can't even imagine the amount of positive impact commercial air service will have Cache Valley's economy.

[SLC Projects]

" The new lane will be used as an express lane, where carpoolers, motorcyclists, people on the bus or with an eco-friendly car can drive for free. Solo motorists can pay $50 a month to use the lane, which currently runs through Salt Lake County and into Utah County.

As part of the construction, bridges at Beck Street, U.S. 89 and 1100 North will be replaced. The Utah Department of Transportation is anticipating construction will begin after the Legacy Parkway opens this fall."



It's about time.

[WASDEN]

This sounds like a cool project, its called 'MAX' which will add a center lane down 3500 South- exclusive to bus traffic. The line will begin in Magna and end at the 33rd TRAX station. Street lights will be reconfigured to give MAX buses right of way. If it is successful additional MAX routes might be built in Utah County. Check it out:

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1...249755,00.html



The new I-15 express lane is welcome, but its kind of odd that it will only be running from 500 North in SLC to the confluence of I-215 and I-15. In my experience that is the LEAST congest part of the Northbound commute! after 215 and Beck Street all converge onto I-15 is when the real chaos begins!

This info did get me excited about the potential of a 100 South exclusive HOV exit/entrance into downtown. Haven't heard much about it for a LONG time! anybody have any info?

[delts145]

^^^

That is great news about MAX along the 3500 south corridor. I hope it is also adopted in many other East/West corridors in the Valley. Regarding the express lane extending further north. Could it be that it's not a priority at this immediate time, because of the opening of the new Legacy Freeway? I imagine other projects are showing a more pressing need in the immediate future, but this is something that will have to be dealt with further on down the pipeline.

[i-215]

Personally, I'm not thrilled about "MAX" on 3500 South.

They talk about MAX getting it's own dedicated lanes. It's not like the ROW (right of way) is unlimited. Already 3500 is a skinny 2-lanes each way and a turn lane - much of it doesn't even have sidewalks betwen 4800 W and 5600 W ... and beyond 56th, it's 2 lanes and a turn lane.

West Valley can't sacrifice any of those lanes! Especially the turn lanes. It's going to kill the businesses on 3500.



I mean, what lanes can they re-stripe?

[delts145]

Go-ahead sought for work on I-15

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/1...250285,00.html

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[delts145]

HOT lane will help ease I-15 congestion


http://www.clippertoday.com/default....rtoday&he=.com


BY SPRING 2010: Commuters on I-15 should find the going easier once the HOT lane is built.

...Traffic studies have shown a need for five lanes in each direction right now...

...The lanes will be much like the lanes in use through Salt Lake and Utah counties, which require vehicles to have more than one occupant unless the driver pays a $50 monthly toll, which entitles them to a bumper sticker allowing them to use the express lane.

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[delts145]

The Tesla Roadster heralds a new age of electric automobiles

http://www.sltrib.com/business/ci_8213568

Musk envisions selling thousands of Roadsters a year before quickly expanding to a more affordable electric luxury sedan and then adding a cheaper compact electric.


Tesla Roadster

[i-215]

Originally Posted by delts145

HOT lane will help ease I-15 congestion


http://www.clippertoday.com/default....rtoday&he=.com


BY SPRING 2010: Commuters on I-15 should find the going easier once the HOT lane is built.

...Traffic studies have shown a need for five lanes in each direction right now...

...The lanes will be much like the lanes in use through Salt Lake and Utah counties, which require vehicles to have more than one occupant unless the driver pays a $50 monthly toll, which entitles them to a bumper sticker allowing them to use the express lane.

..

That HOT lane better roll into a permanent general purpose lane at the end of the line, or else there's gonna be trouble. Remember how the 15 would back up southbound at 106th because the HOV lane went away entirely?

[RC14]

^ agreed.

[UTPlanner]

To answer a question that was posed earlier about the "pressing need" of an HOV lane north of SLC even though the Legacy Parkway is under construction. The reason may not be that it is the most pressing need. UDOT has a number of sources of funding. One of those federal sources that is more easily obtained is for projects that help mitigate pollution. Building an HOV lane is by federal definition one type of project that can be approved with these funds. Thus at times more lanes are added in places simply because the money is there and not based on need. Bureaucracy at its best. Though admittedly I drive north to Davis County daily and if it is not a pressing need now with the growth in the Layton-Ogden corridor it soon will be.

[delts145]

Increasing traffic causes problems for commuters Local employees want to create a bus route from Salt Lake to Park City

http://www.parkrecord.com/business/ci_8274101


Cars pile up on Main Street on Thursday, a busy spot throughout the day. Many commuters coming from Salt Lake or Heber Valley complain that the pollution in the skies and danger is worsening on the freeways and highways ever day. Many hope more public transportation will be offered and used. (Scott Sine/Park Record)

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[delts145]

CNG station open in Woods Cross

http://www.davisclipper.com/default....rtoday&he=.com



GOV. HUNTSMAN fills a state-issued Suburban at the new CNG station in Woods Cross. The bill: $8.

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[WASDEN]

Huntsman filling a "state-issued Suburban" with natural gas? The only way it could have been more entertaining is if it had been a Hummer or Excursion. Baby steps I guess