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Show ~ The West View Page an . Trail continued ae page L — as a method of fond control, | which was their standard operation throughout the country. bottom and. straightened out many of the natural meanders: bank erosion and the biild-tip -a method of flood-control that ing dangerously proved to be more damaging than it was helpful. Instead of manag- banks. “Once the parkway. concept was adopted locally, the Army In the process of channelizing — ing floods, it caused a. swifter the river, they dredged the river flow, money, which usually require thos is no schedule for when cae matching grants. Dell Cook, SLC: _ will happen.. of silt in the river channel, creatsteep; unstable — Engineering Corps of Engineers has support_ ed and helped to implement the which in turn, increased . parkway rather than pursue any. more channelization and straightening of the river,” said Davis. The parkway acts as a type of _. floodway, while at the same time - providing recreational opportunities for people in Salt Lake City. Today, most people regard Division/Landscape Architectural project manager says there are two new trailheads in the works. The trailheads will provide.a place for trail and river users to park their. vehiclesa access. One trailhead wall ke located at North Temple on the southwest side of the river, where Corp has granted an easement and some money for a trailhead, a project that still needs matching funds for completion. _ The the river as an asset, rather than a hazard to nearby residents. A long-term goal of state and city governmental ~ agencies is to develop and maintain the Parkway as multiple-use, urban green space. As in the past,however, progress on the future of the trail will depend on funding as it comes in. This funding comes from a combination of entities; private, local and federal second trailhead will portion from 200 South to North Temple, where there are five main railroad tracks.” No surface crossings are even being considered, so the trail will need to go either over or under the tracks. “A design for this section may be done in the next year, but building a bridge or tunnel will be expensive and — will have to funded based upon the completed design studies,” said Cook. be built this year, just south of Despite some substantial finan- Freemont Avenue, near the Bendin-the-River Urban Tree House cial and physical obstacles, it is. foreseeable to say that some day, a cyclist or runner will be able to travel the entire length of the © Jordan River Parkway Trail from _ Utah Lake down to the Great Salt Lake. Until then, locals will. continue to enjoy this surprising slice of nature on a smaller scale within their own neighborhood. — an outdoor, environmental education site- on the east side of the river. Another trailhead was com- pleted this past summer just north. of California Ave. Though funds will be sought to pave the trail from 2900 North to 1000 North, Newest section of the Jordan River Parkway Jordan Park. Pacific “One of the biggest nae for the City”, Cook said, “is the Trail enhances the International Peace Gardens in Photo by Fred Fife. Rail Plan cont. from page 1 While many west side residents have applauded this latest development, others, led by Senator James Evans and Michael Clara, distrust the promises by city and railroad officials. “I’m glad that Mayor Anderson has come around and is now doing what he should have done four years ago. [However], I guess this is the difference between me and some of my neighbors: I believe it when I see it-some of my neighbors see it because they believe it...We will continue to put pressure on him to follow through for the community,” said Clara. The 900 South rail line was reactivated in 2001 after prom- has to do with current efforts by Congress to re-authorize have to be ready to go and in -_ of how much money to secure,” mayor since we increased opera- its final design stage. “I don’t Ewing said. “The railroad will tions the national transportation bill, which is done every six years. know do most of that in house, with agreement, along with our efforts the help of consultants.” Ewing to create a quiet zone in this area, is evidence that we are serious ‘The bill has been placed on hold that solid numbers have been pinned down yet...The state doesn’t want to fund projects by congressional leaders because > that can’t be funded within the of differences between House six years,” said Harding. Being and Senate versions, which vary absent from the list “does not give our leaders in Washington from $250 to $375 billion. “If the full $375 billion is the impression that...we’re ready funded, then it’s very likely a to go. We may request $40 million and they may come back and project like this will be...funded,” Harding said. “If the lower | give us $20 to $25 million. We’re — number of around $250 billion is cautiously optimistic...We’d like this track.” Almost a year ago the mayor informed residents that Union Pacific would not abandon the very expensive, and so on.” Next, Union Pacific will go to the Federal Surface Transportation Board for a conditional authorization to abandon the line, after which the City will line, but | would | agree | to help railroad. If the City and railroad Joshua Ewing, communications director in the mayor’s office, succeed funds and complete the project, sees a lot of hard work U.P. will move the signal equip-- ence announcing this plan to com- ment along 900 South to other crossings in the city. pletely abandon when it comes to these ahead, not being included on the State’s as the Olympics neared. Instead which lists priority projects for about this. The University light . fail was not in the six-year plan, for example, and it was funded. of having hiking trails, trees and funding. “When these large proj- park benches to enjoy between ects come up, congress will turn to states in terms of priorities,” Harding said. “If city leaders jected to long, lumbering trains, property has to be purchased, the electronic switching equipment is shoot Gateway District Land Use and Development Plan) fell through sub- Buildings have to be torn down, about finding a solution to dis- _ rupting the lives of people along | kinds of things,” he added. — are lots of different ways to go residents were estimates. a smaller pie. That means a lot to see it happen, but it’s a crap- do with the $40 million request downtown, cost South...This of member priorities will not be funded...and congress will only be keeping up with the most basic transportation needs.” funded, then we’re talking about rather than a crapshoot. “There the Jordan River Parkway and high “If you just look at the map: 900 establish quiet zones, divert trains carrying high-level nuclear waste, install fencing around tracks and provide crossing guards at track crossings. Then, just boo the meyer election, he held a press confer- The second roadblock has to ises by former Mayor Deedee Corradini (outlined in the 1998 expects along transportation improvement plan, were able to convince the Utah dismiss legal claims against the in obtaining federal the 900 South rail line. Nevertheless, continu- “It’s a very long and compli- ing distrust of the city adminis- cated process,” Ewing said. But tration was reflected in the latest in the meantime, residents along mayoral race in which west side residents overwhelmingly came Not every transportation project in the U.S. has to be in this long- 900 South will get some relief from the train whistles, when the out against Mayor Anderson. The term plan. It will probably require some creative funding,” he said. “It’s going to take a concerted quiet zones take effect in January mayor has since vowed to work or February of 2004. Clara continues to blame the mayor for dragging his feet and lobbying effort on the part of tHe Department of ‘Transportation loud whistles and sleepless nights - failing to develop a working rela(UDOT) of the need for fund- | ‘City and Union Pacific.” as the 900 South line was reactiThe City is currently laying the tionship with the railroad years ing and UDOT writes aletter of - vated. ago. But Kathryn Blackwell, groundwork for seeking federal support, then that adds credibility , skepticism ae : Clara’s general director of Corporate funds, which can take from one to to the project before the congresbe justified for two reasons, Communication at U. P, disthree years. Soon consultants will sional committee.” | according to Justin Harding, agrees. In a written statement she To get onto the stale’s list. of submit design and-cost estimates senior legislative assistant in said, “[The railroad] has been in on the Grant Tower configurapriority transportation projects, the Washington office of Rep. constant communication with the tion, “so we'll have a better idea the Grant Tower project would Rob Bishop, R-Utah. The first on improving relations with those residents.Clara’s response: “It’s just funny it’s taken the mayor four years to come full circle, and then he packages it with this earth-shattering announcement,” he said. “I won’t be surprised if at the end of the day, when the money comes through: and the tracks are straightened, they don’t pull out of 900 South,” he said. |
