The Utah Transit Authority already owns the former Union Pacific line between the existing TRAX station at 10000 South and 14600 South. The line actually continues beyond 14600 South into Utah County. That has been the anticipated TRAX route for years, and certainly since 2002 when UTA bought it.

So consideration of an alternative alignment down State Street is more of an academic exercise than a genuine planning effort. But even if the State Street alignment were a real possibility, it would lose on the merits.

A look at a map explains why. The State Street route would be 1.7 miles shorter and it would directly serve more places where people work in Draper. But the existing rail right of way, which makes a big easterly arc toward South Mountain before joining the I-15 corridor at about 14600 South, would serve a bigger ridership in this bedroom community, most of whose residents commute to jobs in Salt Lake City and other points north.

Compared to the existing rail right of way, the State Street alternative would require UTA to acquire more private properties. The only acquisitions that would be necessary for the existing right of way would be for park-and-ride lots.

So why would UTA buy another right of way when it already owns one?

It wouldn't.

Which is why this whole discussion is a bit weird.

Some residents have expressed concern about noise and vibration from trains on UTA's rail line adjoining their properties. That's understandable, but again, this alignment was no secret. Anyone with reasonable foresight could see that TRAX trains were likely to roll down this rail line eventually. It's not a matter of if, but when.

Other people have complained that the trains would disrupt the Porter Rockwell Trail, which is located within the UTA right of way. Studies say the trail can be relocated within the right of way to accommodate both it and the train, but they concede that equestrian use might become incompatible for safety reasons.

That would be unfortunate, but it's not reason enough to hold up City Council approval of the TRAX alignment.