Standard-Examiner Midday Update

Via Standard/NET

UTA won't fund gondola study until Ogden leaders submit plan to manage analysis

OGDEN -- The Utah Transit Authority won't allocate $200,000 budgeted for a gondola feasibility study until it receives a proposal detailing how the city plans to manage the analysis, a UTA official says.

"We have agreed conceptually to fund the study with the stipulation that we need an agreement (with the city)," said Michael Allegra, director of transit development for UTA.

The tentative agreement was reached a little more than a year ago, Allegra said, adding he is unaware of any work being done by UTA or the city in connection with the study.

UTA set aside $100,000 in its 2006 and 2007 budgets provided the city submits an acceptable plan for measuring the gondola's financial feasibility, potential ridership, environmental impact and other issues, he said.

UTA supports the study because of the potential "nexus" between the gondola and other forms of mass transit such as buses and the Frontrunner commuter rail line that will serve Ogden starting in 2008, Allegra said.

If the city submits an acceptable management plan, UTA would then award it grant funds to complete the study, he said. Money for the study would not impact future funding for Ogden and Weber County's mass transit needs, he said.

The city hasn't provided a plan.