Sugar House and South Salt Lake looking to expand S-line

SALT LAKE CITY — South Salt Lake and portions of Sugar House are looking to become a “second downtown” for Utah’s capital city.  But while Sugar House works to be a “Transit Oriented Development,” some residents have noted both pros and cons with development efforts.

The pros of the S-Line train

Salt Lake City councilwoman, Amy Fowler, said the S-Line train is vital to the area, and has generated more than $2 billion in development.

“In 2021, we were able to secure $12 million from the state legislature to expand the S-line.”

The biggest job of the S-Line is moving people between South Salt Lake and Sugar House over the busy 700 East corridor. And now, lawmakers want to expand the S-line.

Currently, it ends around 1050 East. Fowler said her hope is to expand the streetcar’s route to Highland Drive. And she said that in the future, the city hopes to expand the route even farther east.

Fowler credited the streetcar for helping bring the Winco store into South Salt Lake, which is the only major grocery in the area. 

But the S-line has also brought some issues.

But traffic is a problem

Fowler said the housing and retail developments along the train line are adding to traffic congestion.

“If you ask many of my constituents … traffic is terrible in Sugar House and on 21st (South.)”

But Fowler believes that ridership will improve in the long run. Though more and more apartments are being built in the area, Fowler said many newcomers to South Salt Lake and Sugar House don’t have cars.

Further, Fowler said more and more people are using public transportation each year to get around their communities.

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