Instead of driving from place to place, motorists would park once and find transit options on most streets. More bus routes, more TRAX lines, a new shuttle service - they all would work seamlessly. And bikers and walkers would be given wide berth.

"It'll be, actually, wonderful," said Tim Harpst, the city's director of transportation.

Today, Harpst and others will present draft recommendations from a seven-month study that aims to make getting around downtown a lot easier.

But even if the Salt Lake City Council and Utah Transit Authority adopt the proposals, don't expect immediate changes. While some fixes could come soon, the plan would be phased in during the next 25 years. Number crunchers are still figuring out costs.

The study covers transit, walking, biking and driving:

Transit

In addition to UTA's four planned TRAX extensions - to West Valley City, West Jordan/South Jordan, Draper and Salt Lake City International Airport - two more light-rail spurs could come on line.

The study recommends creating a downtown loop by stretching TRAX on 400 South from Main Street to 600 West. Another line could go up on 400 West to connect 700 South to 400 South.

Harpst said the two lines wouldn't be built until after 2015.

The study calls for a bus-passenger station at 200 South and State Street because so many buses already pass through the area.

Another bus recommendation, which wouldn't require more money, urges UTA to create "branded corridors" to connect activity centers downtown. For example, a bus route would run from office towers on Main Street to restaurants on 300 South. Another would link hotels to the Salt Palace and Temple Square.

A related proposal would cost some cash: A downtown circulator to make it easier and faster to get around. While some have talked about a trolley, the study recommends a bus. It would likely be free, though the business community would need to kick in funds to pay for it. Many want the shuttle in place by the time the City Creek Center opens in 2011 to connect that mall with The Gateway.

Harpst said the top recommendation is to extend UTA's free-fare zone to include the Main Library.

"The library - and [neighboring] City Hall - is obviously a big draw; it should be part of that free-fare zone."

Walking and biking

Harpst maintains walking already is downtown's "primary mode of travel." But the study calls for making it even more so by adding amenities such as placards at every corner to tell visitors what's on each block and more walking routes like the one that highlights historic buildings.

Bicycling is forbidden on downtown sidewalks, but the study seeks to change that - as long as cyclists go slowly. The plan also urges the city to develop off-street bike paths adjacent to sidewalks and to extend the network of on-street bike routes.

Driving

The study's authors know driving will continue to be the predominant way people reach downtown and, despite the 32,000 stalls available, parking continues to be a bugaboo.

The problem, Harpst said, is not long-term parking. Office workers, their clients and residents have plenty of stalls. It's short-term parkers - shoppers, diners and visitors - who need help.

While the study recommends prohibiting new or expanded surface lots - which detract from any sense of downtown life - it does call for the creation of a parking management group. The authority would develop ways to promote the private parking lots that are available and could recommend building public garages.

And while some City Council members have called for an end to parking meters, the study urges they be kept. Harpst said the money collected - $1.3 million last year - goes to the general fund and can pay for street improvements. The meters also bring in ticket revenue, $3.5 million last year. More important, Harpst said, the meters encourage drivers to leave quickly, which helps businesses.

Councilman Dave Buhler was one who pushed to find a way to dump meters. The mayoral candidate said their elimination remains one of his goals.

hmay@sltrib.com