Grand-opening celebrates completion of 3500 South construction

Two center lanes ready for UTA’s first MAX 2 Bus

By Katie Higgins
Staff Writer

A major part of the West Valley City 3500 South road construction project was finished eight months ahead of schedule, according to Utah Department of Transportation Deputy Director Carlos Braceras. Braceras addressed WVC residents and officials last Saturday at the grand opening celebration for the newly widened stretch of road.
The project widened 3500 South to three lanes in each direction; two additional center lanes in the middle of the road will be used exclusively by the state’s first Rapid Transit Bus, UTA spokesman Gerry Carpenter told the crowd, which included West Valley Mayor Dennis Nordfelt, UTA Assistant General Manager Michael Allegra, Granger High School Principal Arthur Cox, and Lt. Dale Brophy, West Valley Police Department among others.
Carpenter explained the Bus Rapid Transit system, or MAX 2 to the crowd by comparing it to light rail with rubber tires. According to Carpenter, giving the system two dedicated lanes, MAX 2 will be able to transport more people much more quickly than a regular bus. MAX 2 service will begin in the next few months, and like TRAX, riders will board from a center platform in the middle of the street.
Representative Ron Bigelow, R-West Valley City, compared the aggravation of the year long project to the painful economic downturn both the city and the nation have experienced. He added that he sees the finishing of this project as the start of an economic turn around for West Valley City. Businesses along the stretch of 3500 South couldn’t be happier, as many have lost two-thirds or more of their business in the past year and watched as several of their neighboring businesses closed.
The 3500 project is the first completed project of many planned by a newly formed community coordination team. The team, which partners members of the WVC community with UDOT and UTA, has other projects in the works, including the 2700 West Hub, and the construction of a new building which will house Granger High School, as well as providing a community center for the arts, community gatherings etc. The new building will be located just north of the current Granger High School on the corner of 3500 South and 3600 West, and officials foresee it as the future heart of the community, drawing both residents and visitors to West Valley for theater productions music performances, and other events.
The award winning Granger High Cheerleaders performed stunts for the Grand Opening crowd, and the Granger High Band provided music. Granger High Madrigals opened the ceremony singing the national anthem.