TRAX riders are staring down months of construction headaches as the Utah Transit Authority rolls out a systemwide package of track and power upgrades that will ripple across the Red, Blue, and Green lines.
UTA announced Wednesday that crews will spend the coming months working on rails, crossings, and the power network. The agency is warning riders to expect single tracking, temporary closures, delays, and bus bridges as work moves from segment to segment. UTA says it will try to time and stage projects to limit the worst impacts and keep as much of the system open as possible.
In a Facebook reel published Wednesday, the Utah Transit Authority sketches out a rough calendar. Track repairs on all three lines are slated for March–April, major track and power upgrades follow in May–June, curve rebuilds and crossing replacements come in July–August, and final power system work is scheduled for September–October. UTA says it will sequence projects to keep segments open when possible and set up bus bridges or alternate service where needed. For maps and ongoing notices, riders are directed to the UTA disruptions page.
What riders should expect
During active work, riders should plan for single tracking, bus bridges, and occasional temporary closures that can add roughly 15–45 minutes to some trips, depending on where crews are working.
Coverage of earlier TRAX overhauls showed crews running around the clock during full closures and using bus bridges to move riders between out-of-service stations, according to KSL. This round is expected to follow the same general playbook. UTA is urging riders to allow extra time and keep an eye on station signage for last-minute changes.
Timeline and locations to watch
In reality, UTA divides the work into seasonal blocks: track maintenance in March–April, major track and power upgrades in May–June, crossings and curve rebuilds in July–August, and final power system installations in September–October. The agency has already flagged that the fall power work will affect the Red and Green lines.
Exact dates, hours, and station-level details will be posted on the disruptions page as schedules firm up, UTA says. Riders who use major transfer hubs and park and rides should expect wayfinding signs, temporary routing tweaks, and some platform crowding when construction is active nearby.
Why it matters
UTA is framing this as a serious state of good repair work, not a cosmetic tidy-up. The goal is to extend the life of existing infrastructure, smooth out the ride, and improve reliability ahead of a new fleet and other upgrades.
Planned overhauls include ADA ramp work, brake and HVAC rebuilds and low voltage power supply repairs, all of which require crews to get onto the tracks and occasionally shut down segments, according to UTA. These projects line up with the agency’s light rail vehicle replacement plan and its purchase of Stadler Citylink cars, a deal that is expected to reshape TRAX operations over the coming years, as reported by KSL.
Plan your trip
On maintenance days, UTA is urging riders to leave extra time for commutes, consider alternate routes, and pay close attention to posted detours or stop changes. Riders are encouraged to use the Transit trip planning app and sign up for service alerts so they are not surprised by a slow zone or a bus bridge at the last minute.
UTA has previously emphasized the importance of checking real-time information before heading to the station, as noted by Deseret News. Riders who need to confirm accessibility options or specific trip details can contact UTA directly at 801 RIDE UTA (801 743 3882).
