This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Several times a week I travel the 1100 East area of Sugarhouse. The area from 2100 South to 1700 South, the very area designated for the streetcar expansion, is one of the busiest, most congested streets in the city.
Sharing two narrow lanes are cars, bicycles, motorcycles, motorscooters and skateboards. Pedestrians cross frequently without benefit of crosswalks. Cars enter and exit the street regularly to visit businesses on both sides of the streets. In one area, the street is narrowed with barriers to protect a bicycle parking spot. Streetcars will add to the congestion of that part of the city.
It is hard for me to imagine why the Salt Lake City Council would select that road to extend the streetcar line. The alternative, east on 2100 South, is wide, open and serves such destinations as Highland High School, Sugarhouse Park and several restaurants and businesses. Further expansion of the line could eventually meet TRAX at the University of Utah.
Before ground is broken, I would encourage the City Council to reconsider for the safety of our citizens.
Harriet R. McDonald
Holladay