Utah Valley Express is the planned MAX (bus rapid transit, or "BRT") line in central Utah, Utah, USA. The line will be operated by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) and will take place between southwestern Orem to central south Provo through Utah Valley University (UVU) and Brigham Young University (BYU). It is estimated to commence on 13 August 2018 and is the second of several BRT lines that have been or are being planned by UTA in Utah County and Salt Lake Valley. MAX is described by UTA as "light rail on rubber tires".
Video Utah Valley Express
Description
The Utah Valley Express line will soon connect the Orem FrontRunner station with UVU, University Mall, BYU, downtown Provo, Provo FrontRunner station, Provo Towne Center mall and East Bay Business Park and will follow the main routes along University Parkway (SR-265) and University Avenue (US-189). The line is projected to enter 17 stops (stations) and runs at 10-15 minute intervals, with 6 minutes of headways during peak hours.
UTA has anticipated having the Valley Utah Express operation when Provo and Orem FrontRunner stations opened in fall 2012, but in early July 2016 development on the track has not started yet. The Transit Federal Administration reports that construction will begin in mid 2016 and services will be in place by 2019. The initial cost of the Utah Valley Express is estimated at nearly $ 160 million.
The Utah Valley Express will connect with FrontRunner in both the intermodal centers of Provo and Orem (stations). The FrontRunner is a UUT run commuter train service operating along the Wasatch Front with services from Provo, through Salt Lake County (including Salt Lake City), Davis County, and Weber County (including Ogden) to Pleasant View (at the north end of Weber County). The FrontRunner is also connected to the UTA TRAX light rail system in Salt Lake Valley and Amtrak's (National Railroad Passenger Corporation) California Zephyr (which runs daily between Chicago, Illinois and San Francisco Bay Area) and inter-city bus Greyhound.
All TRAX UTA and FrontRunner trains and stations, streetcar and streetcar stop, and all fixed-route buses that are in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are therefore accessible to persons with disabilities. However, the ADA ride on the MAX's unique bus is in the middle door, not in front (as is the case with regular bus services). In accordance with the Clean Air Act of Utah and UTA regulations, "smoking is prohibited on UTA vehicles as well as UTA ​​bus stops â € <â € Maps Utah Valley Express
History
Due to an almost final early flight in early 2013, Brigham Young University announced that they were closing a portion of East Campus Drive. Although there is no Utah Valley Express (currently) route running along this road (although previously anticipated), the closure of this five-lane road will affect traffic on nearby roads, especially 900 East. Because traffic projections are based on the use of East Campus Drive, it becomes wise to reassess the portion of the route in the 900 East area to ensure that the route previously selected is still the best option. As part of this discussion, many alternatives appear, but the original route is stored, with some modifications. One of the primary considerations for maintaining the original route is the strong possibility of losing federal funds, as well as substantial financial support from the Association of Mountain Governments.
Other changes made later in the process include a stop originally planned to be located at approximately 1100 North 900 East. It was first moved slightly north to north Birch Lane/Heritage Drive in front of BYU Creamery. However, the dismissal was subsequently eliminated altogether by two new dismissals, one at the southeast end of the BYU campus (at 900 North) and one on the northeastern edge of the campus (at University Parkway), anticipated entry into Central Missionary Training). Additional enhancement recommendations were also added along 900 East, including 10 foot (3.0 m) sidewalks.
In March 2015, the Federal Transit Administration approved an Environmental Assessment submitted by UTA at the end of 2014 with "Findings No Significant Impact."
In April 2016, Provo City and Orem City voted to approve a 50-year lease agreement that allows UTA ​​to build custom lines and other improvements on local roads owned by Provo and Orem (mainly on the Northern 700 in Provo and near UVU in Orem ). However, this decision gets significant opposition from some residents.
Name
While the line is being designed and under construction, it is known as the Fast Transit Provo-Orem Bus or the Provo-Orem MAX. The project is sometimes referred to as the Provo-Orem Transportation Provision Project (Provo-Orem TRIP), although the BRT line is only part of the overall Provo-Orem TRIP project to improve transport in the area.
In the fall of 2017, UTA asked the public for a name suggestion for the new line, and the TRIP Provo-Orem Executive Committee then selected their top choice from the suggestions. Following a trademark review of committee options, publicly presented, for voting, with three names: TimpRunner, TimpExpress, or Utah Valley Express. After the ballot, in which 524 of the approximately 950 votes voted Utah Valley Express, UTA Board of Directors approved the name of the Valley of Utah Express during the March 28, 2018 meeting.
Future
As needs increase and funding becomes available, Phase II improvements will be implemented. In Phase II, the northwestern tip of the Utah Valley Valley will be diverted directly east from Orem station along the west 800 South (not south along Geneva Road) and connected to UVU campus in a new highway/highway (HOT) intersection overpass. It will then pass the north and east edge of the UVU campus before reaching the University Parkway and continue along the rest of the original route. As part of the rerouting, the single MAX stop on the south side of the UVU campus (UCU/Sandhill) will be replaced by three new stops along the north and east side of the campus. The cost of Phase II is estimated at about $ 18 million.
In addition to the Phase II upgrade to the line, UTA also plans to eventually add Utah Valley Express with an additional MAX (BRT) line in about 7-16 years. One of the MAX lines will run north from the Provo station that follows the 500 West (US-89) in Provo; State Street (US-89) through Provo, Orem, Lindon, and Pleasant Grove; and Main Street (US-89) through American Fork to reach the American Fork FrontRunner station. Other MAX routes will run south from Provo station via East Bay Business Park, then east along 1860 South to State Street (US-89), then south through Springville on Main Street (US-89), then southwest along South State Road (SR-51) to Spanish Fork, and finally through the Spanish Fork (on Expressway Lane, 800 North, Main Street and Center Street) to reach the planned FrontRunner station planned at Spanish Fork (west I-15 and south of Center Street).
Route
Utah Valley Express is defined as UTA ​​Route 830X . (The following route is a description of "local preferred route" (LPR) and is still undergoing minor changes before finalization.)
South Orem
The Utah Express Valley will begin at the Intermodal Orem Center ( FrontRunner station), located at 900 South 1350 West. After heading west and then briefly south on Geneva Road (SR-114), he will head east at University Parkway (SR-265) to cross the I-15 and then turn north on Sandhill Road. At the end of a very short stretch of Sandhill Road it will turn east (via the roundabout) and then head east at College Drive (on the south edge of the UVU campus) until it reaches UVU/Sandhill stop at College Drive and/or South 1200 South. From the stop it will continue east on West 1200 South until it reaches another roundabout in 400 West. Immediately after turning south on South 400 West and then east again at Parkway University will reach 400 West stops (which will be located on the median West University Parkway, just south east of 400 West).
From 400 West stops, Utah Valley Express will continue east on a special lane inside and will ride to Provo Bench and then cross South 200 West and South Main Street. As soon as you pass South Main Street, you'll arrive at the Main Street stop (located on the median East University Parkway, just east of South Main Street). After that stop will continue east on a dedicated inner track, crossing South 200 East and State Street (US-89) before passing the south side of University Mall and reaching the last stop at Orem (University Mall) in around 700 East. The platform for dismissal will also be located on the median East University Parkway. Shortly after that stop, it will cross the South 800 East and then head south east on the East University Parkway to descend from Provo Bench as it leaves Orem and enters Provo.
North Provo
Continuing southeast on the North University Parkway on a special lane inside it, the Utah Valley Express will reach the North 2230 stops after crossing North 2230/550 West in Provo. The platform for this stop will be re-located on the median North University Parkway. From the bus stop it will continue to the southeast on the North University Parkway on a special route through the Provo River and then across North 200 West (Freedom Boulevard) and North University Avenue (US-189).
Soon after crossing North University Avenue, the Utah Valley Express will continue east on the East University Parkway on a shared track and will cross North Canyon Road before passing the northern edge of the BYU campus and south side of LaVell Edwards Stadium. Just east of the stadium will arrive at LaVell Stadium Edwards stopping in around 350 East. The platform for this stop will be located on the East University Parkway, just north of Larry H. Miller baseball field and just east of the signaled intersection with parking access. Since there are no dedicated paths along this part of the route, bus turns are included for this stop. From this bus stop will continue east at East University Parkway. Around 850 East will reach the next (but unnamed) stop. The stop will have two platforms on both sides of the East University Parkway. New crossings with traffic lights are built that continue straight north across the East University Parkway from the existing pavement (pedestrian path) that runs on the east side of the Harmon Building. The stop is to the west of the crossing and access the current parking lot (which is anticipated to be the new main entrance to the Missionary Training Center). Since there is still no specific path along this route, the bus turn is also included for this stop.
After that the Utah Valley Express stop will continue on the joint traffic lane to turn south to North 900 East and past the eastern edge of the BYU campus. Shortly after crossing Birch Lane/Heritage Drive, it will turn west to East 900 North and quickly reach the next (but unnamed) stop in the southeast corner of the BYU campus. It will stop going to a major stop for the BYU campus and will have two platforms (one on each side of the East 900 North), rather than a single platform in the median and located west of East Campus Drive. From the stop it will turn south on North 700 East. There will be a special outer lane on the East 900 North between East Campus Drive and North 900 East, except for the eastern section for the northern bus (heading east at this point) which will cross from the outside lane to turn left onto North 900 East. Also, regular traffic between East Campus Drive and North 900 East will decrease from two lanes to one lane in each direction.
After briefly proceeding south on the North 700 East on a shared track, the Utah Valley Express will turn west again to the East 700 North. Continue on the special route once again, heading east through the 60000 North East and the North 500 East, passing the south edge of the BYU campus, and reaching 400 East Stop (located on the median East 700 North just east of the 400 East East). From the stop it will continue west again, still on a special lane inside, and will cross North 400 East, North 300 East, North 200 East and North 100 East, before finally arriving on North University Avenue.
Upon reaching North University Avenue again, the Utah Valley Express will turn south on the road and continue the journey, still on a special lane inside, to cross the North 600 and arrive at the 600 North stop (which will be located on median University Avenue, about 600 North northwest of the Provo City Library). From the stop it will continue south on a special lane inside and cross 500 North, 400 North, and 300 North and then arrive at 300 North stops (located on median University Avenue, just south of 300 North). After that stop will enter the main business district in downtown Provo and continue south on the dedicated inner track and cross 200 North, 100 North, and Central Road.
South Provo
After crossing Center Street, Utah Valley Valley will soon arrive at Center Street stop (located on median University Avenue south of Center Street). From the bus stop it will continue south, still on a special lane inside, across 200 South and 300 South (US-89) before reaching 400 South stops (which will be located on median University Avenue, north 400 South). After passing 400 South, this path will continue (beyond the 400 South Stop there is no dedicated path for the Utah Valley Express) as it crosses over 600 South and Union Pacific and the FrontRunner track on Viaduct South University Avenue. Immediately after the viaduct it will cross 780 South and then reach 920 South and turn west. After heading west on West 920 South, it will turn north to South 100 East. After passing West 700 South, it will reach Provo Intermodal Center ( FrontRunner station).
After stopping at the Provo Intermodal Center, head for Utah Valley Express briefly to the west at West 700 South to once again reach Freedom Boulevard (South 200 West). After turning south on the South 200 West, it will continue along the path as it passes South South 920 roundabout, across West 1020 South and reach Towne Center Boulevard. At Towne Center Boulevard it will turn east and continue very briefly until the road turns south. Continuing south, still on the shared track, it will reach the Provo Towne Center mall as it passes through the eastern side of the mall. Then it will continue south on Town Center Boulevard (about 100 West) to reach Towne Center Drive (around 1450 South) and turn east on the road. Continue east on the trail along Towne Center Drive to East Bay Boulevard after crossing South University Avenue.
Continuing east on the joint lane on East East Bay Boulevard it will cross the 40 East South before reaching Novell stop (located east of 180 South East on the east-bordered lane). Then it will cross South 180 East before turning south as East Bay Boulevard curve and become East Bay Boulevard. After reaching East 1860 South it will turn west and, while still in the joint lane, it will arrive at the Southgate Center stop (which will be on the west bound lane). From the stop it will continue west until once again reach South University Avenue. After turning north on South University Avenue, it will continue north to turn west at Towne Center Drive.
The Utah Valley Express stops only once at Novell and Southgate Center stops (in one direction only) as it curves clockwise through East Bay Businsess Park. After turning west to Towne Center Drive, it follows the route back to the Intermodal Orem Center because it stops at all other stops/stations just the route.
Stop
Initially 15-17 stops are planned for the Utah Valley Express. The stops shown are based on the best information available so far and are subject to change before the project is completed.
Future Stops
As part of Phase II, three new stops will be made on the north and northeast sides of the UVU campus and the stop on the south side of the campus (UVU/Sandhill) will be eliminated.
See also
- MAX
- FrontRunner
Note
References
External links
- UTA's official website
- Orem Provo Improvement Project
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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