OGDEN TRANSIT PROJECT
COUNCIL STAFF REVIEW
DETERMINATION: Adopt or not adopt the joint resolution
--------------------------------------------------------------
Background
November 4, 2004
The Ogden/Weber State Transit Corridor Study began.
October 2005
The Ogden/Weber State Transit Corridor Study was completed by Michael Baker Jr., Inc.
October 18, 2007
The Administration provided a document that briefly described eight (8) transit corridor options: The Hub, WSU, BDO, Ogden Canyon, Ogden Airport, Newgate Mall, CBD Loop, and Cross-Country. These options were discussed at the work session. A map was provided that highlights each option.
November 6, 2007
The voters approved a Weber County quarter cent local option sales tax for transportation purposes.
May 15, 2008
A work session was held to receive a presentation regarding the Planning Commission’s recommendations, to receive information regarding the downtown loop and feasibility of a local streetcar system, and to discuss the results of the prioritization process. The Council and Mayor agreed that the preferred corridor should begin at the Intermodal hub and end at McKay-Dee Hospital. The Council had prioritized the 13 options being discussed with the 26th Street corridor being the preferred alternative. The Mayor proposed that the Washington to 30th and/or 36th Streets to McKay-Dee Hospital be added as options. The Council and Mayor agreed to proceed with an alternatives analysis and national environmental policy act review for the three corridors.
June 10, 2008
The Council adopted the following legislative intent in the FY2009 budget:
Transit Corridor Alternatives Analysis. It is the intent of the City Council to support and be an active participant in a partnership to pursue a combined alternatives analysis and environmental impact study that could expedite the City’s ability to determine a preferred transit route and mode of transportation from the three identified options on which we agreed jointly with the Mayor. The three routes begin at the Intermodal Hub (23rd and Wall) and run east to Washington Boulevard, then south on Washington Boulevard to either 26th Street, 30th Street or 36th Street, then east on either of those streets to Harrison Boulevard and on to Weber State University and McKay Dee Hospital. This combined study would result in a Record of Decision that is required to enable the City to apply for funding from the Federal Transit Administration.
September 2, 2008
A joint resolution adopting the interlocal agreement was approved by the Council. The agreement included:
- Ogden City contribution of $290,000
- Creation of two committees - policy committee and project management committee
- Establishes Utah Transit Authority and the Wasatch Front Regional Council and joint project managers.
- Establishes the Utah Transit Authority as the local lead agency.
- Defines the alignments to be studied – Intermodal hub to McKay-Dee Hospital via 26th Street, 30th Street and 36th Street.
December 16, 2008
The Council adopted a joint resolution that includes the updated interlocal agreement that amends the previously approved scope of work for the alternatives analysis.
June 24th and 26th, 2009
Public scoping meetings were held regarding the proposed Ogden-Weber State University Transit Corridor Alternatives Analysis and Draft Environmental Impact Statement.
September 8, 2010
On this date the City Council and Mayor Godfrey jointly sent a letter to Andrew Gruber – Wasatch Front Regional Council and Jason Davis – Utah Department of Transportation Region 1 indicating their concern with the possible widening of Harrison Blvd.
October 4, 2010
The Draft 2040 Regional Transportation Plan was presented to the Weber Area Council of Governments. The draft plan does not include the widening of Harrison Blvd. from 20th to 40th. However it includes
widening from 40th to SR-89. It also includes projects to the north of the City that may impact the traffic demands and patterns on Harrison Blvd. and/or Monroe Blvd. The plan also includes two major transit projects within Ogden – the Ogden-Weber State University streetcar project, andthe Ogden circulator.
October 5, 2010
A presentation was given by the Trolley District Community Advisory Network regarding the transit alternatives analysis. Dialogue with the Council regarding alternatives occurred.
November 1, 2010
The Weber Area Council of Governments adopted the proposed Draft 2040 Regional Transportation Plan with amendments.
February 14, 2011
As follow-up to the January 13, 2011 work session the Council sent a letter to the Wasatch Front Regional Council, Utah Transit Authority, andthe Utah Department of Transportation regarding the potential widening of Harrison Blvd. and other regional transportation issues.
March 29, 2011
The Council unanimously concluded that the preferred alternative is a streetcar from 23rd Street to Washington, Washington to 25th Street, 25th Street to Harrison, and Harrison to WSU and McKay-Dee Hospital.
June 8, 2011
At the Policy Committee on this date the City Council requested a pause in the finalization of the Ogden/Weber State University transit alternatives analysis. All seven Council members signed the letter requesting the pause. The Council also requested that UTA consider an express bus route from the Intermodal Hub to Weber State University and McKay-DeeHospital. The committee agreed to the pause on the project but requested that a report be provided within one month to outline what will occur during the
pause. City Council representatives agreed to facilitate the development of the report.
July 15, 2011
As requested by the Policy Committee a report was published. The report answers five questions and provides the next steps for the project.
January 10, 2012
A fact-finding work session was held on this date regarding the Ogden Streetcar Project. GB Arrington presented his report entitled “Ogden Streetcar: Peer review and Next steps.” Representatives from UTA provided an update on the project and an overview of the commuter rail project from Ogden to Brigham City. Representatives from Weber State University, The Trolley District, and the Sierra Club made presentations. The public was also invited to share their views on the project.
April 2, 2012
A meeting was held for representatives of the City Council, Mayor’s Office, UDOT, Wasatch Front Regional Council, and UTA to discuss thetransit project. Each group agreed to specific action steps.
July 20, 2012
A local TOD tour was conducted in the Salt Lake City area. The tour included the University of Utah and West Valley’s Fairbourne Station and MAX line.
July 25/26, 2012
A tour of the Portland, OR streetcar and Eugene, OR bus rapid transit system occurred.
September 11, 2012
A presentation was given to the Council regarding the Portland streetcar and Eugene BRT.
December 18, 2012
A work session will be held on this date to provide the City Council with an update on the project. Mayor Caldwell requested a scope of work related to the NEPA and conceptual engineering for the project.
February 6, 2013
On this date UTA provided a draft scope of work for the NEPA and conceptual engineering with an estimated cost of $745,410. The costs would be split between UTA, UDOT, Weber State University and the City.
April 9, 2013
On this date a work session was held with the City Council and Mayor to allow them to provide direction regarding the project. Direction was given to draft a joint resolution agreeing to proceed with the project subject to the City’s portion of the funding being provided from quarter cent sales tax as approved by the Weber Area Council of Governments. Two routes will be included in the study: 1) 23rd Street to Washington, Washington to 25th Street, 25th Street to Harrison, and Harrison to WSU and McKay-Dee Hospital, and 2) 23rd Street to Washington, Washington to 30th Street, 30th Street to Harrison, Harrison to WSU and McDay-Dee Hospital. The Mayor expressed that a streetcar is likely too expensive. He wants to
determine what is reasonable given the uncertainty of receiving Federal funds and to look at new technologies for such systems.
May 15, 2013
On this date representatives from Ogden City, Utah Transit Authority, Wasatch Front Regional Council, Utah Department of Transportation, Weber County, Ogden-Weber Chamber of Commerce, Weber State
University, and McKay-Dee Hospital met to discuss the status of the project. It was determined that the changes in route agreed upon by the City Council and Mayor on April 9, 2013 will require an increase of
$100,000 to the cost of the study. The new estimated total cost of the study is $845,410. The draft joint resolution will be discussed with the City Council and Mayor at the May 21, 2013 work session.
May 21, 2013
On this date the Council and Mayor discussed the draft joint resolution, and the draft stakeholder letter of support. Direction was given to place the joint resolution on the May 28, 2013 City Council agenda for
consideration.
May 28, 2013
On this date the Ogden Transit System joint resolution will be considered.
Proposal
It is proposed that a joint resolution be adopted authorizing a transit system study between the Intermodal Hub and Weber State University – McKay-Dee Hospital that includes Architectural/ Engineering designwork and environmental review in accordance with NEPA and USDOT requirements.
The study will include two routes:
1) 23rd Street to Washington, Washington to 25th Street, 25th Street toHarrison, and Harrison to Weber State University and McKay-Dee Hospital;
2) 23rd to Washington, Washington to 30th Street, 30th Street to Harrison, and Harrison to Weber State University and McKay-Dee Hospital. The mode alternatives will be evaluated in the study.
It is estimated that the study will cost $845,410. Funding of the study will be shared between UTA ($422,705), UDOT ($50,000), Weber State University ($100,000), McKay-Dee Hospital ($20,000) and Ogden City ($252,705). WFRC will contribute travel model support.
Support by the City is contingent upon receipt of the City’s portion of the funding from quarter cent sales tax as approved by the Weber Area Council of Governments. Weber State University’s financial support is contingent upon one route being determined after the public process for the study is completed.
(Source: 05/28 City Council Regular Session Packet)
