The Red Line is a light rail line on the TRAX system in the Salt Lake Valley of Utah operated by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA). It originally began operation in December 2001 as the peak-hour-only Sandy/University Line, running from the University of Utah south to Sandy Civic Center on the Blue Line. It was later rerouted to South Jordan and renamed the Red Line in August 2011, running as an all-day route. The current line runs from the University of Utah Medical Center in Salt Lake City through the south end of Downtown Salt Lake City, South Salt Lake, Murray, Midvale, West Jordan, and South Jordan to the University of Utah's South Jordan Medical Center in Daybreak.
History
The 703 route number was first used by the Sandy/University Line, also known as the Murray/Midvale/University Line, which opened on December 15, 2001, along with the University Line. The original line from the University to Sandy ran only twice a day during commute hours, while the University Line ran regularly. The southern end of the line was discontinued on May 1, 2011, leaving Fashion Place West in Murray as the new southern terminus; the line was briefly renamed the Murray–University Line to reflect the change. On August 7, 2011, UTA switched to a color-based naming system and the Sandy–University (Murray–University) Line became the Red Line, while the original SLC Intermodal-Sandy line became the Blue Line. That day also marked the opening of the Mid-Jordan extension, running from Fashion Place West through Midvale and West Jordan to the Daybreak development in South Jordan. Nine new stations and over 10 miles of track were constructed for the Daybreak extension at an estimated cost of $452 million.
Route
The TRAX Red Line is designated as UTA Route 703.
Daybreak Parkway to Fashion Place West
The Red Line begins at Daybreak Parkway, which is adjacent to the University of Utah's South Jordan Medical Center, located in the middle of South Grandville Avenue, north of West Daybreak Parkway and east of the new Mountain View Corridor (SR-85) at about 5200 West and 11400 South in the Daybreak Community of South Jordan. It heads northwest, remaining in the middle of South Grandville Avenue, until it reaches about 5600 West and 10900 South, at which point South Grandville Avenue (now South 5200 West) heads north. Shortly thereafter, it reaches the next station, South Jordan Parkway. Continuing north, it crosses over Bingham Creek and then leaves the Daybreak Community and South Jordan and enters West Jordan just before reaching the next station 5600 W Old Bingham Hwy. It then heads northwest just south of and paralleling West Old Bingham Highway. After crossing South 5200 West and South 4800 West, it immediately reaches the next station, 4800 W Old Bingham Hwy. Continuing northeast and still paralleling West Old Bingham Highway, it crosses Wasatch Meadows Drive (South 4490 West), West 9000 South (with the Provo Reservoir Canal running under this crossing), and South 4000 West.
After crossing over Bangeter Highway (SR-154), it continues on its northeastern course. Just after West Old Bingham Highway heads directly north the Red Line reaches Jordan Valley. Briefly before and after Jordan Valley the parallel roadway on the north side is West 8600 South (which runs from West Old Bingham Highway to South 3200 West). After crossing South 3200 West, the Red Line no longer follows a roadway right-of-way, but maintains its northeastern course. After crossing the Utah and Salt Lake Canal Trail, it crosses South 2700 West and reaches the next station 2700 West Sugar Factory Road. Maintaining its northeastern course, the Red Line runs north of, but parallel to, Sugar Factory Road (West 8250 South) as it crosses over the South Jordan Canal and then immediately crosses South 2200 West. Thereafter, it continues northeast, while Sugar Factory Road heads due east. After crossing South Redwood Road (South 1700 West/SR-68), it reaches West Jordan City Center. Briefly before and after West Jordan City Center the parallel roadway on the south side is West 8045 South (which runs from South 1650 West to South 1500 West). The West Jordan City Hall, 3rd District Courthouse, West Jordan court building, and Jordan School District office building are northwest and north of this station.