(Salt Lake City) – Mayoral candidate Ralph Becker today said that expediting the proposed Sugar House streetcar line – which would provide a transit link between Salt Lake’s Sugarhouse neighborhood and the main north-south TRAX line – would be a top priority of his administration.
“Under current plans, the Sugar House streetcar line could be decades away,” Becker said. “If I’m elected mayor, I’ll do everything I can to push this project up on the agenda, so that it may be completed during my term as mayor.”
Becker believes that the streetcar line offers a number of advantages for the Sugar House neighborhood and Salt Lake City generally. “The Sugarhouse streetcar line would bring great benefits for traffic congestion, air quality and economic development,” Becker said. “It’s a win-win-win for the neighborhood and Salt Lake City.”
Becker emphasized that the streetcar line provides an opportunity to improve and expand the Parley’s Creek Corridor Trail (PRATT) system. “We can build the Sugar House streetcar line and still have room for a great segment of the Parley’s Trail,” Becker said. “The trail is coming this way and we’ve got to be sure to make room for it.”
Joining Becker at his announcement was Soren Simonsen, who represents Sugar House on the Salt Lake City Council. “I’m delighted that Ralph has made this project a part of his leadership agenda,” said Simonsen. “I look forward to working together over the next four years to make this important project happen.”