Utah transportation officials hope the study will bring people out of the woodwork to ask questions, express concerns, offer insight and ultimately get excited about the 10-mile project.

With a price tag of $291 million, broadbased support will be needed.

"We'll be urging people to talk to Congress and their elected officials to push this project in Washington. We need their help and support," said Greg Thorpe, manager for light rail engineering and construction for the Utah Transit Authority.

Thorpe explained project details to members of the Murray City Council on Tuesday. The draft study analyzes demographics, transportation needs, air quality, noise and vibration impacts, water and biological resources, hazardous wastes, effects on historic properties, utilities, open space and more.

Part of the state's long-range transportation plan, the proposed Mid-Jordan project - connecting to the existing North-South TRAX line at 6400 South in Murray - is expected to reduce congestion on the highways, improve air quality and get people where they need to go.

The proposed line will head southwest, traversing parts of Murray, Midvale, West Jordan and South Jordan. Ultimately it will feed into Kennecott's Daybreak development, a mixed-use project expected to expand South Jordan's population by 30,000 people.

Thorpe said that mass transit projects across the country are fiercely competing for federal dollars. If the Mid-Jordan project does receive federal funding, UTA will need to match those funds dollar for dollar.

"Without a referendum or sales tax increase, we can still build the line. But it will take 25 years to do it," Thorpe said. With a boost from tax dollars, the Mid-Jordan project, along with light rail extensions to the Salt Lake City International Airport, Draper and West Valley City, could be completed by 2012.

Once ready for public inspection, the draft environmental impact study will be available at city halls, libraries, county offices, state offices and UTA's Web site.

UTA expects to kick off the 45-day public comment period by mid-July, with open houses and other opportunities for dialogue.

Using 2005 data, UTA projects 9,500 riders on the Mid-Jordan line.

cmckitrick@sltrib.com