BOUNTIFUL -- As the Utah Transit Authority mulls over public comment on a possible streetcar in south Davis County, one group is making it very clear that they don't want it.
UTA is currently conducting the South Davis Transit Corridor Study, which aims to determine transit needs in the area between now and the year 2030.
The study evaluates alternatives that will improve mobility for residents working between downtown Salt Lake City and Farmington.
UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter said the agency has prepared an Environmental Study Report that identified a locally preferred alternative in the corridor. That alternative is a streetcar system that begins at 200 South in Salt Lake City and runs north to Parrish Lane in Centerville, to go along with changes to enhanced bus service until the route stops in Farmington.
UTA accepted public comment on the study until March 31 of this year and are currently evaluating and categorizing those comments.
The Davis County Community Coalition, which was formed in 2009 to protest a petroleum coke plant in West Bountiful, has recently organized and picketed against the project.
"The rail on¬ Main¬ Street¬ is not the public's preferred option," said Cecilee Price-Huish, who heads the coalition. "If you live in Bountiful, you know that historic¬ Main¬ Street¬ is special."
Price-Huish said Main Street in Bountiful is home to many locally-owned small businesses that are heavily involved in the community and a rail project through the street would damage its character.
"We do not want to see the integrity of¬ Main¬ Street¬ destroyed with a light rail system," she said.
Price-Huish and other members of the coalition think a light rail system would essentially eliminate parking and create safety issues for children and the elderly. Also, construction would have a negative affect on local businesses.¬ ¬ ¬
The project is not funded yet and UTA will likely have to require a number of special grants for the project to ever be completed.
"We're not going to be breaking ground any time soon," Carpenter said. "There has been some strong opposition, particularly with the Main Street route, but this is long process and things could change."
The streetcar route runs along Highway 89, State Route 106, and Main Street.
According to UTA, the study area for the project had approximately 175,000 residents in 1990. The study area is expected to have approximately 250,000 residents by 2030.
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