Utah lawmakers heard a proposal by the Utah Transit Authority yesterday to outlaw distractions for pedestrians who are crossing railroad tracks. UTA General Counsel Bruce Jones described the proposed bill to a legislative committee, explaining it would limit the use of electronic devices at crossings.
Major changes could be coming to public transportation in Salt Lake City. Today, the Salt Lake City Council will hear from officials at Utah Transit Authority on the elimination of the bus free fare zone downtown. KCPW’s Jessica Gail reports on UTA’s reasons for bringing the issue forward.
Bicyclists in Salt Lake City have a new tool to help them explore where and how to ride. This morning, the city launched a website with maps, information and safety tips at BikeSLC.com. Bicycle-Pedestrian Coordinator Becka Roolf says the site will also highlight several upcoming projects, like a cycle track that will be implemented along a portion of third east later this summer.
Salt Lake County is making it easier for cyclists to get around. As KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, Mayor Peter Corroon and the county’s transportation department laid the groundwork this morning for new bicycle route signs and roadway paint to connect cyclists to major routes and popular destinations in the unincorporated county.
A new job title is in store for Denice Graham, the Utah Department of Transportation’s former Civil Rights Manager who was wrongfully terminated last year. Late last week, Graham accepted a new position with the state as a human resource analyst, and was reimbursed for the legal fees she paid while fighting her termination.
All eyes were on Salt Lake City and South Salt Lake Wednesday as U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood joined local and state officials for the groundbreaking of the Sugar House Streetcar project. KCPW’s Whittney Evans attended the event, where she spoke with the secretary and others about the significance of the project.
Salt Lake City’s push to charge more for metered parking and extend hours of enforcement is sure to face opposition, but the city and at least one local restaurateur says logically, it’s a good call. Mayor Ralph Becker’s 2013 budget proposal extends the hours of parking enforcement from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday through Friday, and includes a 50-cent hourly hike on metered parking.
Engineering students from colleges and universities throughout the West gathered in Tooele over the weekend to compete in the Human Powered Vehicle Challenge, using models they’ve designed and built themselves. As KCPW’s Whittney Evans reports, the competition is the high point for their school year, which they’ve dedicated to turning their concepts and calculations into reality.
The Sugar House streetcar line stretching from the heart of the Salt Lake City neighborhood to the TRAX station on 2100 South will be lined with green space, thanks to a vote of the city council Tuesday night. Council Chair Soren Simonsen, who represents the neighborhood, says the nearly $7 million dollars in funding will contribute to a grand vision.
Three downtown TRAX stops will close for two-and-a-half weeks beginning Saturday as Utah Transit Authority workers connect the Airport TRAX line to the existing system. Spokesman Gerry Carpenter says every station west of EnergySolutions Arena will be affected, including the Planetarium, Old Greek Town and Salt Lake Central stops.
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