Provo Orem MAX

Provo Orem MAX
Overview
Type Bus rapid transit (BRT)
System UTA MAX
Status In development
Locale Provo/southern Orem, Utah
 United States
Termini Orem Intermodal Center
Novell in East Bay Business Park
Stations 17[1]
Operation
Opened 2016 (anticipated))[2]
Owner Utah Transit Authority (UTA)
Operator(s) UTA
Technical
Line length 11.0 miles (17.7 km)
Operating speed 50 miles per hour (80 km/h)
(maximum posted speed limit)
Route number Not yet announced

Provo Orem MAX is a planned MAX (bus rapid transit, or "BRT") line in central Utah County, Utah, United States that will be operated by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) and will run between southwest Orem to south central Provo by way of Utah Valley University (UVU) and Brigham Young University (BYU). It is anticipated to be completed and begin service by 2016 and is the second of several BRT lines that UTA is planning in Utah County and the Salt Lake Valley.[3] MAX is described by UTA as "light rail on rubber tires".[4]

Description

Once completed the Provo Orem MAX line will connect the Orem FrontRunner Station with UVU, the University Mall, BYU, downtown Provo, the Provo FrontRunner Station, the Provo Towne Centre mall, and the East Bay business park (including Novell) and will follow a route primarily along University Parkway (SR 265) and University Avenue (US 189).[1] The line is projected to include 17 stops (stations) and run at 10-15 minute intervals, with 5 minute headways during peak hours.[5]

UTA had anticipated having the Provo Orem MAX operational by the time the Provo and Orem FrontRunner stations opened in the fall of 2012, but by August 2014 construction on the line had yet to commence.[6] The Federal Transit Administration reports that construction should begin in late 2014 and service opening in 2016.[2] The initial cost of the Provo Orem MAX is estimated to be nearly $160 million.[7][8]

The Provo Orem MAX will connect with the FrontRunner at both the Provo and Orem intermodal centers (stations). The FrontRunner is a commuter rail) service by UTA that operates along the Wasatch Front with service from Provo, through Salt Lake County (including Salt Lake City), Davis County, and Weber County, (including Ogden) to Pleasant View (on the northern edge of Weber County). The FrontRunner also connects with UTA's TRAX light rail system in the Salt Lake Valley[9] as well as Amtrak's (the National Railroad Passenger Corporation) California Zephyr[Note 1][10] (which runs daily between Chicago, Illinois and the San Francisco Bay Area) and Greyhound inter-city buses.

All of UTA's TRAX and FrontRunner trains and stations, streetcars and streetcar stops, and all fixed route buses are compliant with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and are therefore accessible to those with disabilities.[11] However, ADA boarding on MAX's unique buses is at the center door, rather than the front (as is the case with regular bus service). In accordance with the Utah Clean Air Act and UTA ordinance, "smoking is prohibited on UTA vehicles as well as UTA bus stops [including MAX stations], TRAX stations, and FrontRunner stations".[12]

History

As the initial route was nearing finalization in early 2013, Brigham Young University announced that it was closing a portion of East Campus Drive.[13][14] Even though none of the (then current) Provo Orem MAX route ran along this road (although it had been previously anticipated),[15] the closure of this five lane road would affect traffic on nearby streets, primarily North 900 East. Since the traffic projections were based upon the use of Campus Drive, it became prudent to re-assess the portion of the route in the area of North 900 East to ensure that the previously preferred route was still the best option. As part of this discussion many alternatives arose, but it appears that the original route will still be followed, with a few modifications.[16] One of the major considerations for keeping the original route was the strong possibility of losing federal funding, as well as substantial financial support from the Mountainland Association of Governments.[17][18][19]

Other changes that were made later in the process included the stop that was initially planned to be located at about 1100 North 900 East. It was first moved slightly north to just north of Birch Lane/Heritage Drive in front of the BYU Creamery. However, this stop was later eliminated altogether in favor of two new stops, one on the southeast edge of BYU campus (on East 900 North) and one on the northeast edge of campus (on East University Parkway), at the anticipated entrance to the Missionary Training Center). Additional improvement recommendations were also added along North 900 East, including 10 feet (3.0 m) sidewalks.

Future plans

As the need increases and funding becomes available, Phase II improvements will be implemented. In Phase II, the northwest end of the Provo Orem MAX will be rerouted directly east from the Orem Station along 800 South (instead of south along Geneva Road) and connect with the UVU campus by way of a new high-occupancy/toll (HOT) interchange overpass. It will then pass by the north and east edges of the UVU campus before reaching University Parkway and continuing along the remainder of its original route. As part of the reroute, the single MAX stop on the south side of the UVU campus (UCU/Sandhill) will be replaced by three new stops along the north and east sides of campus.[20] The cost of Phase II is anticipated to be about $18 million.[8]

In addition to the Phase II improvements to the line, UTA also plans to eventually augment the Provo Orem MAX with additional MAX (BRT) lines within about 7–16 years. One of the MAX lines will run north from the Provo Station following along 500 East (US-89) in Provo; State Street (US-89) through Provo, Orem, Lindon, and Pleasant Grove; and Main Street (US 89) through American Fork until it reaches the American Fork FrontRunner Station. Another MAX line will run south from the Provo Station though East Bay Business Park, then east along East 1860 South to South State Street (US 89), then south through Springville on Main Street (US 89), then southwest along South State Road (SR-51) to Spanish Fork, and finally through Spanish Fork (on Expressway Lane, East 800 North, North Main Street, and West Center Street) until it reaches the planned FrontRunner Station in Spanish Fork (west of I-15 and south of West Center Street).[21]

Route

UTA has not yet assigned a route number to the Provo Orem MAX.

Note: The following route is an approximate description of the "locally preferred route" (LPR) and is still subject to changes before finalization.

South Orem

The Provo Orem MAX will begin at the Orem Intermodal Center (FrontRunner station), which is located at 900 South 1350 West. After heading east to and then briefly south on Geneva Road (SR-114), it will head east on University Parkway (SR-265) to cross over I-15 and then turn north on Sandhill Road. At the end of this very short stretch of Sandhill Road it will turn east (through the roundabout) and then head east on College Drive (on the southern edge of the UVU campus) until it reaches the UVU/Sandhill stop on College Drive and/or West 1200 South. From that stop it will continue east on West 1200 South until it reaches another roundabout at South 400 West. Immediately after turning south on South 400 East and then east again on West University Parkway (1300 South) it will reach the 400 West stop (to be located in the median of West University Parkway, just east of South 400 West).

From the 400 West stop the Provo Orem MAX will continue east in dedicated inside lanes and will ascend the Orem Bench and then cross South 200 West and South Main Street. Immediately after crossing South Main Street it will arrive at the Main Street stop (to be located in the median of West University Parkway). After that stop it will continue east in its dedicated inside lanes, crossing South 200 East and State Street (US-89) before passing by the south side of the University Mall and reaching the last stop in Orem (University Mall) at about 700 East. The station for this stop will also be located in the median of East University Parkway. Shortly after that stop, it will cross South 800 East and then head southeast on University Parkway to descend the Orem Bench as it leaves Orem and enters Provo.

North Provo

Continuing southeast on North University Parkway in its dedicated inside lanes the Provo Orem MAX will reach the 2230 North stop just before crossing West 2230 South/North 550 West. The station for this stop will again be located in the median of West University Parkway. From that stop it will continue southeast on North University Parkway in its dedeicated lanes until it passes over the Provo River and then crosses North 200 West (Freedom Boulevard) and North University Avenue (US-189).

Immediately after crossing North University Avenue the Provo Orem MAX will head east on East University Parkway (1650 North) in shared lanes and will cross North 150 East (North Canyon Road) before passing by the northern edge of the BYU campus and the southern side of the LaVell Edwards Stadium. Just east of the stadium it will arrive at the LaVell Edwards Stadium stop at about 350 East. The stations for this stop will be located on the sides of East University Parkway, directly north of the Larry H. Miller baseball field and immediately east of the signalized intersection with the events parking lot access.[Note 2] Since there are no dedicated lanes along this portion of the route, bus turnouts will be included for this stop. From this stop it will continue east on East University Parkway as it transitions from 1650 North to 1700 North. At about 850 East it will reach the next (yet unnamed) stop. This stop will have two stations on the sides of East University Parkway. A new crosswalk with a traffic light will be constructed that will continue straight north across East University Parkway from the existing sidewalk (pedestrian path) that runs along the east side of the Harmon Building. The southbound stop (heading east) will be just east of the crosswalk and the northbound stop (heading west) will be west of the crosswalk and the current parking lot access (which is anticipated to become the new main entrance to the Missionary Training Center). Since there are still no dedicated lanes along this portion of the route, bus turnouts will be also included for this stop.

After that stop the Provo Orem MAX will continue in shared traffic lanes to turn south onto North 900 east and pass by the eastern edge of BYU campus. Shortly after crossing Birch Lane/Heritage Drive, it will turn west onto East 900 North and immediately reach the next (yet unnamed) stop on the southeast corner of BYU campus. This will stop will be the primary stop for BYU campus and will have two stations (one on each side of East 900 North), rather than a single station in the median. From that stop it will continue briefly west on East 900 North before that road curves south to become North 700 East.[Note 3] There will be dedicated outside lanes on East 900 North between Campus Drive and North 900 East, except for the easternmost portion for the northbound buses (heading east at this point) which will be crossing from the outside lane to make a left-hand turn onto North 900 East. Also, regular traffic between Campus Drive and North 900 East will be reduced from two lanes to one lane in each direction.

After briefly continuing south on North 700 East in shared lanes the Provo Orem MAX will turn west again on East 700 North. Continuing on, in dedicated lanes once again, it will head east until it crosses North 600 East and 500 East, passes by far southern edge of BYU campus, and reaches the 400 East stop (to be located in the median of East 700 North just east of North 400 East). From that stop it will continue west again, still in its dedicated inside lanes, and will cross North 400 East, North 300 East, North 200 East, and North 100 East, before finally arriving back at North University Avenue.

After reaching North University Avenue again, the Provo Orem MAX will turn south on that road and continue on, still in its dedicated inside lanes, to cross 600 North and arrive at the 600 North stop (to be located in the median of University Avenue, just south of 600 North). From that stop it will continue south in its dedicated inside lanes and cross 500 North, 400 North, and 300 North and then arrive at the 300 North stop (to be located in the median of University Avenue, just south of 300 North). After that stop it will enter the main downtown Provo business district and continue south in its dedicated inside lanes and cross 200 North, 100 North, and Center Street.

South Provo

After crossing Center Street the Provo Orem MAX will immediately arrive at the Center Street stop (to be located in the median of University Avenue just south of Center Street). From that stop it will continue south, still in its dedicated inside lanes, crossing 200 South and 300 South (US-89) before reaching the 400 South stop (to be located in the median of University Avenue, just north of 400 South). After crossing 400 South it will continue in shared lanes (beyond the 400 South stop there are no more dedicated lanes for the Provo Orem MAX) as it crosses over the 600 South and the Union Pacific and FrontRunner tracks on the South University Avenue Viaduct. Immediately after the viaduct it will cross 780 South and then reaches 920 South and turn west. After briefly heading west on West 920 South, it will turn north onto South 100 East. After crossing West 700 South it will reach the Provo Intermodal Center (FrontRunner station).

After its stop at the Provo Intermodal Center, the Provo Orem MAX head briefly west on West 700 South until it once again reaches South 200 West (Freedom Boulevard). After turning south on South 200 West it will continue in shared lanes as it passes through the West 920 South roundabout, crosses West 1020 South and reaches Towne Centre Boulevard. At Towne Centre Boulevard it will turn east and continue very briefly until the road turns south. Continuing south, still in shared lanes, it will reach the Provo Towne Centre Mall stop(s) as it passes by the east side of the mall. It will then continue south on Town Centre Boulevard (at about 100 West) until it reaches Towne Centre Drive (at about 1450 South) and turns east on that road. Continuing east in shared lanes Towne Centre Drive becomes East East Bay Boulevard after it crosses South University Avenue.

Continuing east in a shared lane on East East Bay Boulevard it will cross South 40 East, and South 180 East before reaching the Novell stop (to be located just east of South 180 East on the east bound lanes). It will then turn south as East East Bay Boulevard curves and becomes South East Bay Boulevard. Upon reaching 1860 South it will turn west and, while still in a shared lane, it will arrive at the Southgate Center stop (to be located on the west bound lanes). From that stop it will continue west until it once again reaches South University Avenue. After turning north on South University Avenue, it will continue north until it turns west on Towne Centre Drive.

The Provo Orem MAX stops only once at both the Novell and Southgate Center stops (in one direction only) as it loops clockwise through the East Bay Businsess Park. After turning west onto Towne Centre Drive, it follows its route back to the Orem Intermodal Center as it stops at all the other stops/stations alone its route.

Stops

Initially 15-17 stops are planned for the Provo Orem MAX.[1][2][22][23] The stops indicated are based upon the best information available so far and are subject to change before the project is finalized.

Provo Orem MAX (Orem - Provo)
Stop Name
[1][Note 4]
City Southbound Station Northbound Station UTA Bus
Connections
[Note 5]
Park and
Ride Lot
Notes & Other Connections
Northern end of the line
Orem Station Orem
900 South 1350 West
830, 840, 842 Yes  750  FrontRunner
UVU/Sandhill
College Campus Drive/
West 1200 South
805*, 806*, 807*, 811*, 822*, 830*, 831*, 840*, 841* No Serves Utah Valley University (UVU)
400 West
South 400 West &
West University Parkway
Serves UVU and southwestern Orem business district (400 West)
Main Street
University Parkway
@ Main Street
811*, 830*, 831* Serves south central Orem business district (Main Street)
University Mall
[Note 6]
East University Parkway
@ 700 East
811*, 830*, 831*, 850*, 862*, 880* ? Serves University Mall and southeastern Orem business district
2230 North Provo
North University Parkway
@ 2230 North
830*, 831*, 832* ? Serves northwestern Provo business district
Lavell Edwards Stadium
[Note 6]
East University Parkway
(East 1650 North)
East University Parkway
(East 1650 North)
830, 832 No Serves northwestern Brigham Young University (BYU), including, sports facilities
Yet unanammed
(MTC)
East University Parkway
(East 1700 North)
@ 850 East
East University Parkway
(East 1700 North)
@ 850 East
830, 832 Serves the Missionary Training Center and northeastern BYU, including student housing
Yet unanammed
(900 North)
East 900 North
East 900 North
822, 830, 832 Serves the southeastern BYU (main campus)
400 East
East 700 North
@ 400 East
830*, 832* Serves off campus student housing (south of BYU)
600 North
North University Avenue
& 600 North
(south of intersection)
831* Serves north central Provo business district (including the Provo City Library) and off campus student housing (southwest of BYU)
300 North
North University Avenue
& 300 North
(south of intersection)
Serves north central downtown Provo business district
Center Street
University Avenue
@ Center Street
(south of intersection)
Serves central downtown Provo business district (including the Utah County Administration, the Utah County Health and Justice building, the Utah State office building, the NuSkin buildings, and the Provo City Center LDS Temple)
400 South
South University Avenue
@ 400 South
(north of intersection)
Serves south central downtown Provo business district
Provo Station
690 South University Avenue
805, 821, 830, 831, 833, 834, 836, 838, 850 Yes  750  FrontRunner
Provo Towne Centre Mall
[Note 6]
Towne Centre Boulevard
Towne Centre Boulevard
821, 838 ? Serves Provo Towne Centre mall
Novell
[Note 6][Note 7]
East East Bay Boulevard
@ 180 East[Note 7]
821, 838 No Serves northern East Bay Business Park
Southgate Center
[Note 6][Note 7]
East 1860 South
@ Novell Place[Note 7]
Serves southern East Bay Business Park, including Novell
Southern end of the line
*Indicates bus connections which do not connect directly at station/stop, but are easily accessible nearby (as indicated)

Future Stops

As part of Phase II three new stop will be created on the north and northeast side of the UVU campus and the stop on the south side of campus (UVU/Sandhill) will be eliminated.

Provo Orem MAX (Orem - Provo)
Stop Name
[1]
City Southbound Station Northbound Station UTA Bus
Connections
[Note 5]
Park and
Ride Lot
Notes & Other Connections
800 North Orem 807, 831, 862 No
UVU North 807, 831, 862
UVU South 807, 831, 862

See also

Notes

  1. While the FrontRunner connects with the Amtrak station in Salt Lake City, the California Zephyr also stops in Provo. The Provo Amtrak Station is located about a block west of the Provo Intermodal Center, but has limited services (no ticketing, no baggage check, no indoor waiting room, etc.).
  2. Construction of an additional island platform is being considered for the Lavell Edwards Stadium stop (in median of East University Parkway, between the other two stations). Use of this platform would be limited to game day service and would allow for additional buses to load and unload from the inside lanes of East University Parkway in both directions.
  3. While minor modifications to most of the intersections along the Provo Orem MAX route are anticipated, the intersection of North 700 East and East 900 North is the only one projected to have a major realignment in Phase I. Currently, the north end of North 700 East terminates at East 900 North in a T-intersection. Traffic turning left from North 700 East onto East 900 North (BYU campus) is required to stop, while traffic turning east is only required to yield. Plans are to modify the current alignment such that East 900 North will curve south through the intersection to become North 700 East. The portion of East 900 North west of 700 East will curve slightly to the south to form a three-way intersection (roughly a T) at the midpoint of the curve of the other two roads. However, westbound traffic on East 900 North will have a lane that continues straight through, bypassing the actual intersection. The result will be that the only traffic required to stop will be eastbound from East 900 North and the only traffic required to yield will be turning left onto East 900 North from North 700 East.
  4. Stop names are only tentative/suggested and are not yet finalized (except the FrontRunner Stations).
  5. 1 2 Bus connection routes are current as of Change Day, 17 August 2014
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 On 22 November 2006, UTA announced that it would no longer use corporate names for its TRAX stations (unlike a common trend for public mass transit). This would presumably carry over to MAX stops, so several of the originally proposed names will likely be changed before they are finalized.[24]
  7. 1 2 3 4 the Provo Orem MAX does a clockwise loop through the East Bay Business Park. As result it only stops once on the north side of the business park and once on the south side of the business park (near Novell) before returning to the Provo Towne Centre mall (without stopping on the north side of the business park again).

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Federal Transit Administration. "Provo-Orem Bus Rapid Transit" (PDF). fta.dot.gov. United States Department of Transportation. p. 3. Retrieved 18 Mar 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 Federal Transit Administration. "Provo-Orem Bus Rapid Transit" (PDF). fta.dot.gov. United States Department of Transportation. p. 1. Retrieved 18 Mar 2014. UTA anticipates a Small Starts Grant Agreement in 2014, followed by construction in the same year and the initiation of revenue service in late 2016.
  3. Salt Lake Tribune (13 Jul 2008). "UTA set to unveil speedy MAX bus route". Salt Lake City: ksl.com. Retrieved 13 Jul 2008.
  4. "Bus Rapid Transit" (PDF). rideuta.com. Utah Transit Authority. Retrieved 10 Mar 2014.
  5. "Provo Orem BRT". rideuta.com. Utah Transit Authority. Retrieved 24 Apr 2014.
  6. "Provo Intermodal Center" (PDF). rideuta.com. Utah Transit Authority. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  7. Federal Transit Administration. "Provo-Orem Bus Rapid Transit" (PDF). fta.dot.gov. United States Department of Transportation. p. 2. Retrieved 18 Mar 2014.
  8. 1 2 "PROVO-OREM BUS RAPID TRANSIT Environmental Assessment: Executive Summary" (PDF). rideuta.com. Utah Transit Authority. Apr 2011. p. 3. Retrieved 24 Apr 2014.
  9. "UTA RAIL SYSTEM MAP". rideuta.com. Utah Transit Authority. Dec 2013. Retrieved 17 Mar 2014.
  10. "Provo, UT (PRO)". amtrak.com. Amtrak. Retrieved 3 Aug 2014.
  11. "Fixed Route Accessibility". rideuta.com. Utah Transit Authority. Retrieved 13 Mar 2013.
  12. "Rider Rules". rideuta.com. Utah Transit Authority. Retrieved 12 Mar 2013.
  13. Pugmire, Genelle (31 Jan 2013). "BYU to close Campus Drive, build walking plaza". Daily Herald. Provo, Utah: Lee Enterprises. Retrieved 24 Apr 2014.
  14. "Campus Drive Redesign". Brigham Young University. Retrieved 24 Apr 2014.
  15. Carter Burgess (Apr 2005). "Provo/Orem Rapid Transit Corridor: Alternatives Analysis" (PDF). Moutainland Association of Governments. pp. 1–8, 1–11, 5–19, 5–20, & 5–22. Retrieved 3 Aug 2014.
  16. Pugmire, Genelle (3 Jun 2014). "Provo council votes unanimously on BRT". Daily Herald. Provo, Utah: Lee Enterprises. Retrieved 5 Jun 2014.
  17. Pugmire, Genelle (21 Feb 2014). "Provo BRT project draws national attention". Daily Herald. Provo, Utah: Lee Enterprises. Retrieved 5 Jun 2014.
  18. Pugmire, Genelle (14 Feb 2014). "BRT: County's mayors threaten to pull $75 million over Option 4". Daily Herald. Provo, Utah: Lee Enterprises. Retrieved 3 Aug 2014.
  19. "BRT4PROVO.com". www.brt4provo.com. Retrieved 5 Jun 2014.
  20. "Figure 3.4-1 Land Use in the Study Area" (PDF). rideuta.com. Utah Transit Authority. 12 Apr 2011. pp. 3–91. Retrieved 26 Mar 2013.
  21. "Transit Projects - 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan" (PDF) (Map). mountainland.org. Mountainland Association of Governments. 5 May 2011. Retrieved 17 Mar 2014.
  22. "Mountainland TIP" (PDF). web.mountainland.org. Mountainland Association of Governments. 10 Feb 2010. p. 4. Retrieved 11 May 2013.
  23. "Figure 3.4-1 Land Use in the Study Area" (PDF). rideuta.com. Utah Transit Authority. 12 Apr 2011. pp. 3–91. Retrieved 26 Mar 2013.
  24. Henetz, Patty (22 Nov 2006). "TRAX changes signs on northbound trains". The Salt Lake Tribune. Salt Lake City: MediaNews Group. Retrieved 18 Mar 2014.

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