Mayor Continues Push for Airport TRAX Line

None by Jeff Robinson

But Delta Doesn't Want Airport Fees Spent on Line

(KCPW News) Mayor Ralph Becker says the Salt Lake City has to come up with another source of funding to build a TRAX line going to the airport because Delta Air Lines officials are vehemently opposed to using airport fees for that purpose. The Air Transportation Promotion Alliance he's formed with the governor and local business leaders has met once so far to discuss the issue.

The mayor says they're working towards a solution that does not involve raising taxes or using the airport fees.

Becker says the two-mile stretch of the line that would serve the airport will cost $35 million, ten percent of the total cost of the line.

The mayor says he understands why Delta would want passenger fees to go primarily toward expansion of the airport instead of the TRAX line, but says Delta failed to understand the city's intent to use those fees just for that purpose from the beginning.

Becker has the support of the public, which approved a quarter-percent sales and use tax increase in 2006 to expand public transit.

The airport is considering a one-and-a-half to two billion dollar expansion. To listen to a full conversation with the mayor, download today's Midday Metro podcast.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2009 KCPW