TRAX Light Rail System

Prior to the start of the 2002 Winter Olympics, construction was completed on the Salt Lake City TRAX, Fast Track Design/Build University Extension Project. This project was a 4.3-mile extension to the original TRAX System, and was designed to provide service to the campus at the University of Utah from the downtown Salt Lake City area.

Although construction of the above ground system required rebuilding a main street from curb-to-curb, all local businesses continued to function. The system was placed into service a full two months ahead of the Olympics.

Mass. Electric Construction Co. (MEC) performed as a subcontractor and was responsible for the signal system design, installation, and commissioning, as well as the overhead contact system (OCS), which included three traction power substation cabling systems. The system runs in the middle of major downtown streets requiring special consideration for its aesthetics including installation of painted fluted catenary poles with cast iron decorative bases, a low profile catenary design, and simulated brick siding on a substation. Customer satisfaction with the overall construction effort was such that the design/build team was awarded a change order for an additional 1.5 miles of double track extending the system from University Stadium to the Medical Center.