A fire near Murray Central turned into a midday headache for transit riders Monday, as Utah Transit Authority warned that TRAX Red and Blue line trains were steering clear of the station and stacking up delays of about 10–15 minutes. The alert went out shortly after 1:09 p.m., with UTA saying crews were on scene monitoring the situation while trains were rerouted. Commuters passing through Murray Central were urged to build in extra travel time while officials evaluated the incident.
What Riders Should Know
In an alert posted to X, the Utah Transit Authority said trains were avoiding the Murray Central area, and riders should “expect delays of 10 to 15 minutes” while crews deal with the fire, according to Utah Transit Authority - UTA. The message urged passengers to watch for updates and plan for longer headways on both the Red and Blue lines. Those traveling during the afternoon rush were advised to factor in extra time for transfers or map out alternate routes to keep from getting stuck.
Service Impacts And Past Disruptions
Murray Central is one of UTA’s major transfer hubs, which means any blockage there tends to ripple across the system and can trigger bus bridges or emergency reroutes. It is a familiar pattern: Hoodline coverage of a freight train derailment near Murray Central last December detailed how bus bridges and long delays followed that incident, and FOX13's report on a 2021 brush fire showed UTA will sometimes halt trains entirely while firefighters work near the tracks. Those earlier disruptions are a reminder that even a relatively short-lived fire near the right-of-way can cause outsized headaches for riders.
Murray Central Station And The Immediate Area
Murray Central serves both TRAX Red and Blue lines along with the FrontRunner commuter rail, with the TRAX platforms listed at 5144 S. Cottonwood St., according to Utah Transit Authority station listings. The corridor has already seen multiple hiccups this spring. In a May 8 rider bulletin, UTA said a separate mechanical issue near Murray Central led to residual delays as trains worked back to their regular schedule, according to UTA's rider bulletin. With the station acting as a key transfer point, even short interruptions there can translate into longer waits across both downtown and southern stretches of the system.
Rider Tips
For now, riders should lean on real-time tools, give themselves a buffer on any trip that runs through Murray, and be ready for short-notice changes in train frequency. UTA’s alerts on X and the Transit app will offer the fastest updates, and both station message boards and mobile apps are expected to reflect schedule tweaks as they happen. If you absolutely have to travel through Murray Central while this fire response continues, it may be worth looking at surface routes or shifting your departure time to sidestep the worst of the congestion.
