Salt Lake City is taking a grassroots approach to tackle the persistent divide between the city's west and east sides. The city announced the launch of the West-East Connections (WEConnect) Study, a two-year initiative aiming to bridge gaps in transportation and connectivity created by physical barriers like Interstate 15 and railroad tracks. To bring solutions to light, an open house is set for May 21 from 5:30-7 p.m. at Edison Elementary School, complemented by an online survey available through early June, as reported by Salt Lake City.
Mayor Erin Mendenhall underscored the importance of localized expertise in addressing these community issues. She has been quoted as saying, "No one knows what the west side needs better than westside residents," as per Salt Lake City, highlighting the value the city places on direct public input. Acknowledging the challenges faced by residents, particularly those west of the divide, Salt Lake City Council Member Alejandro "Ale" Puy initiated a public awareness campaign in 2023 to underscore the impacts of parked freight trains, which often disrupt local commutes by causing delays and creating safety hazards.
Implemented in the previous year, the TRAINFO pilot program has seen success with its digital signs providing real-time railroad crossing information at certain intersections, helping to alleviate travel frustrations. According to Salt Lake City, the first signs that were installed at the 900 West and South Temple rail crossing in 2024 will see expansion to additional crossings in the near future.
Emphasizing a collaborative approach to identifying effective remedies for transportation woes, Salt Lake City Transportation Project Manager Joe Taylor spoke to the need to understand the everyday realities of those frequently crossing the divide. "We want to learn more about the real impacts of the west-east divide from those who experience them most often," Taylor stated, as obtained by Salt Lake City, with optimism in uniting community members and city officials to co-create a suite of workable solutions.
Residents affected by the transportation divide are encouraged to participate both in the upcoming open house event, where the first 250 attendees will have dinner provided, and in sharing their experiences through the online survey. The study unfolds as a multi-year, multi-touchpoint endeavor, promising continued opportunities for public input until 2026.
