OGDEN -- If and when the Weber State Transit Corridor project is finally built, it likely will run through 36th Street, but not all Ogden residents like the idea.
On Thursday night at Union Station, the Utah Transit Authority hosted a well-attended open house to present the recommended 36th Street alignment for the project.
A partnership among UTA, Ogden, South Ogden, Weber County, Weber State University, McKay-Dee Hospital, Utah Department of Transportation, Wasatch Front Regional Council and Federal Transportation Administration, the project aims to improve transit service in a 5-mile-long corridor between downtown Ogden and Weber State University and McKay-Dee Hospital.
According to UTA, the area is one of the busiest bus transit corridors in the Wasatch Front, but it has high levels of traffic that make transit trips slow and unreliable.
Project consultant Wilbur Smith Associates analyzed project designs, travel lanes, travel demand, traffic patterns and impacts and recommended a streetcar as the proposed mode for the project, with an alignment that runs from the Ogden Intermodal Hub down Washington Boulevard to 36th Street, then up 36th Street to Harrison Boulevard to Weber State and McKay-Dee.
UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter said project stakeholders proposed that the 36th Street alignment should be studied further, but an alternative alignment also is being considered.
The alternative runs from the Intermodal Hub down Washington to 30th Street, then up 30th Street to Harrison, to Weber State and McKay-Dee.
The project has been somewhat controversial, with a group of Ogden residents being adamant about the route heading up 25th Street to Harrison.
A large group of 25th Street proponents attended the meeting Thursday.
"Ogden has historically been a rail town, so the streetcar is a good option, but the 36th Street route shouldn't be the route," said Ogden resident Michael Ware. "Straight up 25th Street to Harrison is the best option, and it seems like it has just been ignored. (The 25th Street route) serves downtown with all the shops and restaurants along there. It seems like the obvious choice, but somehow it's not."
There also has been discussion about whether the streetcar should stop in front of WSU on Harrison or meander through the university, making stops on campus and at Dee Events Center.
Even when differing opinions are resolved, the project is still likely decades from construction.
Carpenter said additional funding is needed for the project to advance to a federal environmental impact study, which would be required before any construction can begin.
"Obviously it's going to cost money to lay the track and acquire the vehicles," he said. "(But) at this point, we've taken it as far as we can take it with the funds that were made available. There is no additional funding for further study, so acquiring that funding would be the next step."
UTA officials say if the proposed 36th Street streetcar option is selected, the total cost would be approximately $157 million.
This topic is being discussed at The Weber County Forum.
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