Transit planners pick bus rapid transit through American Fork; council splits on downtown route
October 6, 2020, 4:00 p.m. · Held electronically (COVID-19 emergency)
UDOT and UTA planners told the American Fork City Council the Central Corridor study selected bus rapid transit from Lehi to Provo, largely on the old rail corridor, and asked how buses should get from Pacific Drive to Main Street; council members split among State Street, 100 West, 300 West and Church Street. Public Works Director Scott Sensanbaugher said the 200 South widening design is done but lacks construction money and private land, while a new water line will start right away.
From the approved minutes.
Decisions at a glance
| Item | Result |
|---|---|
| Central Corridor bus rapid transit study | Discussed |
| 200 South widening update | Discussed |
Agenda, item by item
Item 1 · Presentation
UTA board update on transit studies
Discussed
UTA board member Kent Millington described the Point of the Mountain, Central Corridor (Lehi-Provo) and new South Utah County transit studies, a 55-mile corridor from Sandy to Santaquin centered on American Fork; urged input on MAG's North Lake Shore study; and announced free fares on Election Day, Nov. 3.
Item 2 · Roads and utilities
Central Corridor bus rapid transit study
Discussed
UDOT's Eric Rasband said the study, funded by MAG, UTA and seven cities (American Fork contributed about $9,000), chose BRT running mostly on the UTA/Union Pacific rail corridor through Lehi and American Fork, then via North County Boulevard and 700 North to State Street in Lindon, Orem and Provo, with a Vineyard branch; possible American Fork stations at Pacific Drive, Center Street and Main Street. Consultant Claire Woodman offered three ways to reach Main Street: State Street, Pacific Drive to 300 West, or Pacific Drive to 100 West. Shelton proposed Church Street and urged a branch to the TOD/FrontRunner station; Carroll and Taylor opposed Church Street; Senior Planner Adam Olsen and Taylor favored 100 West; Christiansen favored State Street. Union Pacific customers such as Rhinehart Oil still use the line.
- Payment$9,000 to Orem City / Central Corridor Transit Study
- American Fork study contribution: about $9,000
Item 3 · Roads and utilities
200 South widening update
Discussed
Sensanbaugher said the 200 South design from the FrontRunner station area to I-15 is complete except bid documents but lacks construction funding and right-of-way from private owners who have not agreed; MAG funded a roundabout on 300 West north of the freeway; UTA station entrances would become right-in/right-out and the park-and-ride would net 70 stalls (lose 24, gain 94). A water line will be built immediately. Shelton said funding is inadequate and asked for a decision within three months on using an economic development (CRA) area, quick interim fixes such as piping the ditch for a north-side trail, a project website, and two lanes over the tracks for farm equipment. If funding lags, staff may have a developer build 700 West to 900 West.
- Park-and-ride: lose 24 stalls, gain 94
- MAG funded roundabout at 300 West north of I-15
- White Horse units reportedly sold out within two days (Shelton)
What residents said
Bus lanes through residential 100 West and 300 WestLoss of downtown parking200 South safety and lack of sidewalks/lightingFarm equipment over the 200 South rail crossingNo transit link from State Street to American Fork FrontRunner station