From freightliners to trains to buses, transportation is key for economic growth and is at the forefront for businesses in the Salt Lake area. For example, the I-15 freeway reconstruction project was 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.
In addition, Salt Lake is 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 (San Francisco to New York), north-south (Canada to Mexico) 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 250 vanpools.
Each day, about 71,000 people use UTA's fixed route bus service, which consists of 140 routes. In addition, on a daily basis over 40,000 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 April 2008. 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 in the construction phases and plans to have six stops on the way.
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 and Air Freight
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 the 22nd busiest airport and 54th in the world in terms of passenger numbers.
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.
American, Continental, Continental Express, Delta, ExpressJet, Frontier, jetBlue, Northwest, Pinnacle, SkyWest, Southwest, US Airways Express, United Express, and United Airlines operate over 900 scheduled daily flights to over 100 nonstop destinations throughout the U.S. and Canada. Beginning June 2008 Delta will include a nonstop flight from Salt Lake to Paris. 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 the second largest 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.
Airfreight 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 in 1998, which is located north of the terminals.
Interstate Highways and Motor Freight Utah is a great location for trucking companies and
distribution centers because of its north-south and east-west corridors. 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 Salt Lake valley.
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.
Railways
On May 10, 1869, the Golden Spike was driven at Promontory Summit, Utah, marking the completion of the transcontinental railroad.
Today, about 1,400 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 the new Intermodal Transportation Center built in Salt Lake City’s Gateway area.
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.
Transportation
