S Line (Utah Transit Authority)

When the S Line opened in December 2013, the line was almost entirely single-tracked, with passing tracks at the 500 East stop where the two cars typically operating on the line could pass each other. This layout enabled 20 minute frequencies on the line. In June 2017 it was announced that Salt Lake County would provide $4.5 million, and the federal government would provide $1.9 million through its Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement program, to double-track the portion of the S Line from just west of the 300 East stop, through to just east of the 500 East stop, enabling improved 15 minute frequencies on the line. Construction began in June 2018, and was completed in April 2019.[14]

The S Line was planned to be constructed in two phases. As part of Phase 2, the S Line will extend beyond the Fairmont stop.[22] There were six different alignments considered,[23] however the route for the further extension has been nearly finalized. The Phase 2 extension has the S Line continuing east from the Fairmont stop to Highland Drive, then heading north (as Highland Drive becomes 1100 East) and ending immediately south of 1700 South.[24] This route will provide service to Westminster College. Although there was substantial opposition to this recommended route for Phase 2,[25] the objections were not focused on the initial section of Phase 2 along Highland Drive, but rather the section further north. Many are opposed the route continuing north along 1100 East and would rather see the streetcar continue east along 2100 South.[26] Notwithstanding, city leaders have repeatedly indicated that many of the objections arise because of a lack of understanding regarding the differences between the S Line (streetcar) and TRAX (light rail).[27] There still remains the possibility of further extensions beyond Phase 2, but none have yet to be specifically identified for official discussion.

The S Line begins at the Central Pointe Station, the streetcar portion of which is located at 193 West Utopia Avenue in the city of South Salt Lake, just south of (SR-201). (Central Pointe is also the southernmost station served by all three TRAX lines: Blue, Red, and Green). From this station the S Line heads south along the east side of the TRAX right-of-way until it turns east along the former D&RGW right-of-way at about 2230 South.[10] (While the S Line heads east along this right-of-way, the TRAX Green Line heads west along the same right-of-way towards West Valley City). With industrial buildings on both sides of the track, the streetcar continues east, crossing West Temple and Main Street. From the east side of Main Street, it runs down the median of a new east–west street (called Central Pointe Place) until it reaches the South Salt Lake City stop at 2240 South Main Street. After that stop it continues east in the median until it reaches the east end of Central Pointe Place and then crosses State Street (US-89).[Note 2] East of State Street the route begins a stretch with residential housing on the north side of the tracks instead of industrial buildings. After crossing 200 East and then 300 East it immediately arrives at the 300 East stop at 2240 South 300 East. With industrial buildings once again to the north, the streetcar continues east, on the only double-track section, crossing South 400 East (the first of only three road, other than the two alleyway, crossings were vehicle traffic is only controlled by stop signs rather than traffic lights). Past 400 East the S Line arrives at the 500 East stop at 2234 South 500 East.

After crossing 500 East, the streetcar leaves South Salt Lake and enters the Sugar House neighborhood of Salt Lake City. The two S Line tracks then merge back to a single set. Continuing east, but now slightly to the north, it crosses 600 East and arrives at the 700 East stop at 2210 South 700 East. From that stop the tracks continue due east once again (at about 2210 South) and cross 700 East (SR-71). East of 700 East the route briefly follows along a former roadway (Sequoia Ruby Court), including an alleyway crossing, before reaching Lake Street (740 East). After crossing Lake Street the streetcar continues east, with another alleyway crossing, and crosses 800 East. Lake Street and 800 East are the other two of the three road crossings where vehicular traffic is only controlled by stop signs rather than traffic lights. Continuing further east it crosses 900 East. Immediately east of 900 East the S Line arrives at the Sugarmont stop[Note 3] at 2215 South 900 East. The streetcar also begins a stretch which runs east along the north side of Sugarmont Drive. At about 1010 east the tracks diverge once again before reaching the Fairmont stop,[Note 4] which is located immediately west of the south end of McClelland Street (1040 East) at 2216 S McClelland Street. The Fairmont stop is also located just north of Fairmont Park and southwest of the Granit Block. Fairmont stop is the last eastbound stop for Phase 1 of the S Line.

From McClelland Street, Sugarmont Drive continues due east to Highland Drive at 1130 East and 2225 South (being one-way, westbound only, between 1100 East and Highland Drive). There is a proposal to realign this section of Sugarmont Drive to curve to the north to connect with Highland Drive at the west end of Wilmington Avenue (about 2190 South).[28] Whether Sugarmont Drive is realigned or not, as part of Phase 2, the S Line will continue east along that street until the streetcar turns north along Highland Drive. Heading north, but slightly to the west, the S Line will run through the commercial district along Highland Drive until it reaches 2100 South. (At about 2150 South, Highland Drive curves from its north-northwest direction to head almost due north.) At East 2100 South, Highland Drive becomes South 1100 East. Heading north along 1100 East, the streetcar will pass by the ends of the following streets: the east end of Hollywood Drive (1970 South), the west end of a section of Ramona Avenue (1930 South), the east end of a section of Ramona Avenue (1910 South), the west end of a section of Westminster Avenue (1880 South), and the west end of East Garfield Avenue (1835 South). North of Ramona Avenue the streetcar leaves the commercial district and 1100 East has intermittent residential housing on both sides of the street. Continuing north along South 1100 East, the S Line will cross Blaine Avenue (1735 South) before reaching the northern border of the Sugar House neighborhood and the end of Phase 2 immediately south of 1700 South. Phase 2 will provide indirect service to Westminster College, the campus of which is just east of the end of this route. (The campus of Westminster College occupies the entire area between 1200 East and 1300 East from 1700 South to 1850 South.)