Transportation
You can get there from here easier than almost anywhere else.
Transportation is the catalyst for economic growth and therefore at the forefront of key issues in the Salt Lake area. For example, the recently completed I-15 freeway reconstruction is the largest construction project ever undertaken in the area. The new freeway, which cost $1.59 billion, has elements designed to last 75 years and should handle traffic capacity for the next 20 years.
Salt Lake is also home to
CommuterLink, one of the most advanced intelligent transportation systems in the country. CommuterLink uses the latest technologies and professionals to reduce congestion and increase efficiency. The result is a more efficient transportation network that saves taxpayers over $100 million annually and reduces carbon monoxide emissions by an estimated 5.1 million kilograms per year.
The Salt Lake area, or Wasatch Front, is known as the “Crossroads of the West,” and is located equidistant from all major western markets. An east-west, north-south interstate highway system, three railroads, and an international airport provide the state with an efficient transportation system and ideal conditions for manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution facilities. Salt Lake is also an important regional trade and shipping center to the Rocky Mountain region and the West Coast.
Mass Transit
Utah Transit Authority (UTA) offers convenient public transportation along the Wasatch Front. With a 1,400 square mile service area spanning six counties, UTA provides public transit to 75 percent of Utah's population and some of the state's largest communities including Salt Lake, Ogden, Provo, and Tooele. Services provided by UTA include TRAX light rail in Salt Lake County, an inter-county fixed-route bus system, and
Flextrans, the agency's paratransit operation that provides curb-to-curb transportation for riders with disabilities. UTA also offers service to local ski areas during the winter months and has a comprehensive Rideshare program featuring more than 200 vanpools.
Each day, more than 80,000 people use UTA's fixed route bus service, which consists of 135 routes and a fleet of 450 buses. In addition, on a daily basis over 38,000 people ride UTA's
TRAX light rail system, which includes the 15-mile Sandy/Salt Lake Line and the 4-mile University Line from downtown Salt Lake City to the
University of Utah Health Sciences
Center.
Additional public transportation projects planned for the future include high-speed commuter rail from the northern Utah community of Brigham City to Utah County. The first commuter rail segment, from Weber County to downtown Salt Lake City, is in the engineering phase and scheduled to open in late 2007. UTA is also pursuing an expanded light rail system with extensions in the Salt Lake suburbs of West Valley City, Midvale, West Jordan, and South Jordan. A light rail line from downtown Salt Lake to Salt Lake City International Airport is also in the planning stages.
Light rail, commuter rail and bus service are considered part of a balanced transportation approach to address problems associated with growth and traffic congestion along the Wasatch Front. UTA was recognized in 2002 for its crucial role in Wasatch Front transportation when the American Public Transportation Association designated it as the nation’s best public transit system.
International Airport
The Salt Lake City International Airport is within 2.5 hours from half of the nation's population. The airport—situated just west of Salt Lake City and about 10 minutes from downtown—serves more than 20 million passengers annually and ranks as the twenty-fifth largest airport in the nation.
In a passenger survey released in November 2000, the airport ranked sixth in the nation, among mid-size U.S. airports, for easy access to and from terminals. The airport also scored above average in terminal facilities, gate areas, food and beverage, retail, baggage claim, and rental cars. Because of the Olympic Winter Games, the airport was also one of the first in the country to comply with heightened security measures following 9-11.
AeroMexico, America West, America West Express, American, Continental, Delta, Frontier, jetBlue, Northwest, SkyWest, Southwest, United Express, and United Airlines operate 726 scheduled daily flights to about 70 nonstop destinations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Salt Lake City International is consistently ranked in the top ten U.S. airports for on-time performance by the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Salt Lake City serves as a major western hub for Delta Air Lines. This hub enhances Utah's economy in employment and facilities. Southwest Airlines is now prominent in the Salt Lake market as well and offers expansive air service.
Interstate Highways
Utah’s transportation system includes 43,155 miles of federal, state, and local highways and roads. Interstate 80 (east to New York City/west to San Francisco), Interstate 15 (north to Canada /south to Mexico) and Interstate 70 (east to Denver) are vital to the efficient movement of goods and materials throughout the region. Both I-80 and I-15 converge in Salt Lake, allowing convenient access to the Wasatch Front and points beyond. The I-215 belt route offers expanded access along the eastern and western perimeters of the valley.
Railways
On May 10, 1869, the Golden Spike was driven at Promontory Summit, Utah, marking the completion of the transcontinental railroad. Today, about 1,700 miles of railroad track stretch throughout Utah; all lines converge in the Salt Lake-Ogden metropolitan area. Utah is an excellent interline switching route for West Coast shipments and for Eastern and Midwestern terminals, without having to back haul shipments. The merged Southern Pacific and Union Pacific provide freight service in and through Utah. Amtrak provides daily passenger service to and from points throughout the United States. Amtrak trains arrive at and depart from a new Intermodal Transportation Center being built in Salt Lake City’s Gateway area. The first phase of the Center will be completed by the end of 2004 and accommodate passengers transferring among bus, automobile, bicycle, Amtrak, and Greyhound. A light rail connection is currently in design and commuter rail service is expected to begin in 2007.
Air Freight
Air freight service in the Salt Lake area puts shippers within hours of any point in the nation. Sixteen cargo carriers handle more than 550 million pounds of air cargo and airmail. Over the past 10 years, air cargo volumes at the airport have grown at an annual average rate of 9 percent. The growth in cargo activity has necessitated the development of a new cargo area, which is located north of the terminals.
Motor Freight
The trucking industry employs more than 75,000 people in Utah. There are more than 2,000 interstate and intrastate motor freight carriers with operations in the state. Daily direct service from Utah's metropolitan areas to all major cities in the continental U.S. and Canada is available through these carriers. Most of these carriers have unused load capacities and are able to handle increased service demands for their equipment.
Customs Port of Entry
Salt Lake City is a full-service customs port city, making it a center for warehousing and distribution. Goods that enter under bond may be stored in customs-bonded facilities for up to five years without payment of customs duty.
Salt Lake City International Airport has an international arrivals building that has the capacity to handle more than 200 arriving international passengers per hour.
updated
08-26-04
