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Utah Transit Authority's TRAX Draper Line
This page was last updated on January 25, 2013.
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Overview
The Draper TRAX line will be a two-track extension of the existing UTA North-South Light-Rail TRAX line from its current terminus at 10000 South in Sandy to about 14600 South in Draper along the UTA-owned right-of-way. As of early November 2009, the line is still in the planning stages and construction has not yet begun.
Timeline
Early December 2012
UTA announced that the Draper Line was "substantially complete." Formal testing and training of operators, along with approval by Federal Transit Administration inspectors will be accomplished beginning in February 2013. The line is expected to be opened to the public in August 2013.
There were several locations where safety features, such as handrails, sidewalks and markings needed to be completed, along with landscaping that had not yet been completed.
January 22, 2013
The historic rail car was placed in its location at Draper Town Center satation. The car is painted in an historic design that matches the color and lettering used on the original cars that were lettered for Utah Poultry Producers Cooperative Association, and the slogan "Milk White Eggs."
October 2012
In late October, it was announced that a special display would be installed at Draper Town Center Station to commemorate the history of Draper:
Draper once was known as the “Egg Basket of America” and shipped “milk-white eggs” all over the country. The story will be told at the historical rail car display to be built at the Draper Town Center Park-and-Ride. Preliminary preparations for the historic rail car exhibit are started. An actual refrigerated rail car from the period is being transported from Kanab, Utah as the centerpiece of the exhibit, which also will include a water tower with a message welcoming people to Draperville.
Draper was founded in 1849 by Scottish immigrant Ebenezer Howard. The town was named Draperville after William Draper, who had moved here with Howard, and was also the first LDS Elder in the area. The community later became known as the “Egg Basket of America” and shipped “milk white eggs” all over the country. Cooperation between Utah State University and Utah Poultry Producers refined the White Leghorn chickens to begin production of white eggs as early as 1910. By the 1920s, "milk white" eggs became a national trend among the best big-city restaurants, as well as consumers who were willing to pay more for the perfect egg from Utah. Draper Poultrymen were also the first to send "next day" eggs by express rail to New York City which proved to be very profitable.
April 2012
A horse and pedestrian underpass was installed below the tracks at 10200 South, as part of the fill across Dimple Dell, to allow horses and riders, pedestrians and bike riders to pass below the Draper Line.
December 2011
By mid December 2011, all the the track had been laid, but additional ballast work was needed, as well as allowing the track to settle and become stable enough for safe operation. The track structure will require several vertical and horizontal alignments to ensure that it is set and stable for operation. Construction of the overhead power lines was progressing.
November 2011
Although most of the track was not yet laid, during the week of November 21, 2011, work began to tie the new Draper Line into the existing line at 9800 South.
August 2011
The first track along the new Draper Line was laid in the vicinity of Draper Park and 12300 South.
May 2011
11400 South was closed, or restricted to one lane while crews installed the first grade crossing along the Draper Line.
Mid January 2011
Construction of UTA's Draper Line began in mid January 2011, with the closure of Vista Way at 11400 South to allow crews to begin work on improvements to irrigation and storm drains that would be affected by the new line at 11400 South. Additional crews began tree and brush removal and installation of a new box culvert at Dry Creek (approximately 10200 South).
November 29, 2008
UTA announced that the Draper route should be ready in early 2012, two years ahead of schedule. (Railway Gazette International, November 29, 2008)
August 2007
TRAX lines to the Salt Lake City International Airport and Draper are expected to be done by 2014. (Deseret Morning News, August 9, 2007)
December 22, 2006
Salt Lake County Commission approved the use of tax dollars to help build UTA's TRAX Mid-Jordan and Draper lines. (Deseret Morning News, December 22, 2006)
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