FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the purpose and need of the study?
The goal of the project is to provide reliable, frequent and high-capacity transit improvements between Lehi and Provo that:
- Improve mobility and provide alternative to driving for both local and regional trips.
- Connect to the existing and planned transportation network.
- Support the transportation demands of anticipated growth in population and employment.
- Support community's land use and economic development goals.
The study is needed because:
- Roadways are becoming more congested and travel times are unreliable.
- Northern and central Utah County is growing rapidly and the street and highway network will not be able to serve increased traffic. Robust transit options will be required to meet the forecasted transportation demand.
- Local plans call for transit investments to catalyze economic development opportunities and desire for planned growth to occur in areas served by high-capacity transit.
How can I stay informed?
Connect with the study team with questions or comments at:
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HOTLINE: 385-355-3133 -
EMAIL: centraltransit@utah.gov
Where is the study taking place?
The study area starts near the Timpanogos Highway (S.R. 92) interchange and runs south to approximately 600 South in Provo. The study area is bounded on the west side by Utah Lake and on the east side by State Street. View the study area map for a closer look.
What is the timeline of the study?
- February 2020: Purpose and Need and initial range of alternatives
- Spring 2020: Initial alternative screening
- Summer 2020: Detailed alternatives screening
- Fall 2020: Preferred Alternative selection
Who is funding the study?
All seven Utah County cities, UTA, UDOT, and MAG have contributed to the funding of the study.
What are the opportunities for public input?
Throughout the study process, there have been opportunities for the public to provide their ideas and input. Public comments have been collected through the project email, hotline and interactive comment map found on the website. The initial public input period, which provided a project overview, project goals, and initial transit corridors, lasted from February to May 2020 and captured 120 comments. The second public comment period provided an opportunity for the public to provide feedback on the Level two alternatives being evaluated. This public comment period, lasting from May to September 2020, generated 122 comments.
The final public involvement period has commenced, and we are asking for your feedback on the Preferred Alternative. Opportunities for to provide public input include two online public meetings scheduled for Monday, Oct. 26, from 6 to 7 p.m., or Thursday, Oct. 29, from 7 to 8 p.m. The information presented will be the same at both meetings. A link to the meeting will be provided 15 minutes prior to each meeting on the website homepage. The current comment period will conclude on Nov. 13.
After the conclusion of the study, an Environmental Study will begin which will evaluate the Preferred Alternative. During the Environmental Study, additional opportunities for public engagement will be available.
How was the Preferred Alternative developed?
The Central Corridor Transit Study utilized a multi-step screening process to develop a Preferred Alternative. An initial pre-screening process outlined the project purpose to provide reliable, frequent, and high-capacity transit improvements between Lehi and Provo. This process is used to ensure and eliminate alternatives do not meet the study objectives and goals.
The next screening step – Level One alternative evaluation – was a high-level evaluation to further refine project alternatives and identify best performing routes. This step was followed by a Level Two alternative evaluation which examined the remaining alternatives in greater detail to inform the recommendation of a Preferred Alternative.
Level One Alternative Evaluation
Level Two Alternative Evaluation
Preferred Alternative Recommendation
What is the next step after this study?
This study will conclude by the end of 2020. After the study has concluded, the next step will be to begin an Environmental Study which will look at the Preferred Alternative in greater detail to assess potential impacts to the built and natural environment.
As part of the Environmental Study, additional engineering and design will take place to further define the transit corridor and station locations. Throughout the Environmental Study, there will be additional opportunities for public involvement. The Environmental Study will take an estimated 18 to 24 months.
How would the bus rapid transit (BRT) in the Preferred Alternative operate?
Where possible, the BRT would operate in its own lane in the center of the roadway, similar to portions of Utah Valley Express (UVX). An example cross section is pictured below which shows what the roadway could look like.
Note that the characteristics of the roadway (number of lanes, shoulders, turning lanes, landscaping features, etc.) vary along the length of the Preferred Alternative corridor. This illustration is intended to show a representative cross section and is not intended to represent final engineering at any location along the Preferred Alternative corridor.
