They don't know how to pay for it, but Salt Lake City Council members agreed Tuesday night to increase the amount of money the city will put toward the planned extension of light rail from the EnergySolutions Arena - formerly the Delta Center - to the transit hub at 600 West and 300 South. The original estimated cost was $32 million, with the city paying $8.45 million and the Utah Transit Authority chipping in the rest. But bids came in higher. The cost is now $41.7 million, with the city set to pay $11 million. UTA has urged the city to vote quickly because construction costs are rising and the route needs to be completed to connect with commuter rail, which could be built by the end of next year and will initially terminate at the transit hub. But the council has been holding the money hostage until members met with UTA to gain assurances that the transit authority prioritizes a proposed light rail route to the airport. The line would be paid for through a sales-tax bond voters approved earlier this month, but is competing with other transit and road needs. That meeting was held last week. Council Chairman Dave Buhler declined to discuss it in detail, noting the sensitive nature of the negotiations. "They understand the priority we put on the airport line."

- Heather May