Starting Saturday, a little dust and noise will be kicked up along 200 West between 900 South and 800 South.
Residents will be cheering the disruption, caused by construction of the new 900 South TRAX station. It's a contrast to attitudes five years ago, when the Utah Transit Authority first opened its light rail line.
"This is a sign of the maturity of TRAX," said John Inglish, UTA general manager. "When we began planning, we weren't sure how successful TRAX would be. Now they can see how much access we can provide them."
Inglish was one of a handful of officials gathered Thursday to celebrate the start of construction. Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson was also in attendance, praising the ability of the station to spur growth and increase mobility.
In early 2004, Salt Lake City officials met with UTA to ask that the station be built. The city is funding construction with $1.2 million in Redevelopment Agency (RDA) dollars in hopes it will spur redevelopment.
Several low-income housing developments have already been built in the area.
Salt Lake City Councilman Eric Jergensen said the station, combined with the goal of new development, will add a new "dynamic and heart" to the city. "It'll provide an opportunity for people to participate more in the city," he said.
It will also provide greater access to the Salt Lake Community Action Program, said Cathy Hoskins, executive director of the program.
The Community Action Program has a building at 764 South 200 West where Utahns can receive employment and housing assistance. "We've been waiting for this for a long, long time," said Hoskins. "So many people use our services that don't have access to transportation."
Construction of the 900 South Station will begin Saturday and finish in September. Because the station was a part of UTA plans and a grass-filled median was already in place, construction won't be too obtrusive, said Inglish. Once complete, only 30 seconds will be added to travel times for TRAX.
"It'll be a great addition to our system," said UTA spokesman Justin Jones.
Within the coming years, new stations may be built at 9400 South near Jordan Commons and at 700 South and Main in Salt Lake City.
E-mail: nwarburton@desnews.com