18 September news

  • An Investigation by both the Utah Transit Authority and the Sandy,UT police found the sub-contractor and the trainee operator at fault for the accident that occurred on Wednesday. The sub-contractor was at fault since they failed to notify the UTA that they were turning off the signals at the very busy 9000 south intersection. The operator was declared at fault since he failed to notice that the blue light that goes on when the crossing gates are working, was not on. The 18 year old girl who was involved in the collision was not cited since the gates where not functioning, and no law covers if the gate is not function, but she went around the stopped traffic.
  • After two days of closed door meetings in Provo, UT, UTA and Salt Lake Olympic Committee officials have decided it is in the best interest of both groups to cooperate. SLOC has stated it will not lobby against transit projects, and will include UTA in its traffic plans. Up to this point SLOC had not included the UTA in any plans to handle traffic for the Olympics.
  • The US Senate has approved of the proposed east-west light rail line from downtown to the University of Utah. The Senate did not include any funds for the project. A committee know has to work out the differences between the Senate and House proposals. The House did not allocate any funds or approval for the project. Rep. Merrill Cooke of Salt Lake, who at first favored the project, then opposed the project, know wants the city of Salt Lake to vote on the project. He is pushing a resolution that will call for a vote before any funds can be awarded for the project.
  • The proposed train from Boise to Portland may start service as early as the first of the year.
  • October 1st is the 20th anniversary of the Carter train cuts which killed the North Coast Hiawatha in Montana.