Apparent consensus on how to span the North Temple viaduct for the airport TRAX train careened into chaos as a Salt Lake City councilman insisted a route may not be selected before the end of the year.
The pronouncement from acting chairman Luke Garrott stunned some 100 west-side residents, many who had pleaded passionately during a public hearing Tuesday to eschew the 600 West option - with its planned viaduct - arguing that it creates a physical and psychological wall for the capital's Guadalupe neighborhood. The residents and business owners, who have lobbied against the 600 West line for nearly a year, expected the saga to be solved May 6 when the council is scheduled to vote on an interlocal agreement with Utah Transit Authority.
But as many in the throng stood to leave, Garrott said a decision on the long shot 600 West or the city's "preferred" 400 West route will remain open until Dec. 31.
"This is a decision for the ages, folks," said Garrott who represents the area. "I want to be part of crafting a community vision . . . for a transit-oriented development."
Garrott insisted a viaduct - which he opposes - may not be necessary at the intersection of 600 West and North Temple. And he challenged anyone to posit a "positive plan" for the neighborhood that incorporates TRAX.
Councilman Eric Jergensen tried to calm the waters, calling Tuesday's discourse a good discussion.
"It hasn't been a discussion tonight, it's been a series of comments," Garrott countered. "We need a discussion."
But others on the council took exception, saying the transit question should be solved soon.
"Their lives are hanging in the air," argued J.T. Martin. "There are real-estate deals hanging in the air."
Councilmen Van Turner and Carlton Christensen agreed, the latter saying he is prepared to vote May 6.
"We owe the community some closure," Christensen said.
Until now, it appeared the TRAX trajectory to the airport was all but complete. The council took a bus tour of the route Tuesday, where engineers mapped the line from the intersection of South Temple and 400 West one block north where it would snake through the North Temple viaduct to connect with the FrontRunner commuter train.
From there, city and UTA officials pinpointed five stops along North Temple before the route skirts Interstate 80 and Wingpointe Golf Course, then ends near the entrance to Terminal 1. (The curved route between 2400 West and airport entrance still is being negotiated but most likely will cross a segment of so-called runway protection zone). A permanent airport stop - once an expansion is complete - has not been determined.
Traffic lanes on North Temple will be reduced from six lanes to four to make room for a bike path and wider pedestrian walkways. Trees and landscaping are planned on the "Grand Boulevard," which will have matching street lights, canopies and a possible public park. The Fairpark TRAX station will connect to the Jordan River Parkway, while a possible park-and-ride lot is slated for the south side of the street across from the Fairpark.
During the bus tour, which did not include 600 West, Garrott told the transportation brass that option "may be back on the table." The comment drew silence.
The tour did extend to 200 North then west of the Salt Lake Hardware Building to an open lot adjacent to the FrontRunner tracks. Officials said that is an outside option for the route, though it would have to connect to North Temple via a ramp.
Jergensen and others suggested any option should contemplate an overhaul of the North Temple viaduct to make way for a "real live intersection" at 400 West. Jergensen called that corridor one of the next great development areas in the city.
West-side residents agree, telling the council the neighborhood is poised for a renaissance. But they say it should be buoyed by TRAX on 400 West, not boxed in by a second viaduct two blocks west.
"I'd really hate to see this structure go up that would set us back ten to twelve years," said Bob Martines, who has lived in the neighborhood since 1949. "I see good times ahead."
One developer noted $50 million has been invested in housing along the corridor. Another resident challenged the council, asking whether the seven members would ever buy a home under a viaduct.
Community workers, volunteers and parents also weighed in, saying now is an opportunity to connect a long-forsaken community that suddenly finds itself in the heart of a westward thrust.
Said Amanda Moore: "Build a bridge that unites us, not divides us."
djensen@sltrib.com
