“The Salt Lake Chamber has repeatedly demonstrated a bold vision for the state’s transportation needs as well as a clear understanding of how critical a vibrant transportation system is to Utah’s growth and economy.”

State Senator Stuart Adams

Former Chair, Utah

Transportation Commission

Statement of Principles:

Economic Prosperity Requires Transportation Viability – A viable transportation system is critical to economic growth and prosperity. We support a vibrant transportation system that moves our people and delivers our goods on the ground and through the air. 

Sufficient Funding for our Transportation Infrastructure – A viable multi-modal transportation system is critical to economic growth and prosperity. State government and business leaders have already shown tremendous wisdom in obtaining unprecedented funding for highway, transit and air traffic systems in Utah. Continued funding efforts are necessary to keep our transportation system vibrant and healthy. 

Efficient Movement Makes Life Better – The best transportation systems are those that are on the cutting edge of technological advances that move goods and people in the most efficient ways possible and for the best price. We support innovation to help lower unnecessary travel time, streamline the flow of traffic, maximize the use of tax dollars and user fees through technology, and reduce congestion.

2010 PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES:

Increase Transportation User Fees – While we do not support any increase in income, sales or property tax during an economic downturn, an increase in the highway user fee or motor fuel tax is necessary to provide sufficient funding for highways. We propose an increase of 10 cents per gallon or its indexed equivalent. This proposed increase will generate $100 million in state revenues to fund Utah’s transportation infrastructure.

Keep Our Current Commitment to Transportation – Transportation investment lowers business costs, increases productivity and enhances our quality of life. Highway construction in Utah is at an all time high at nearly $4 billion in highway projects in the works. Transit is well on its way to building 70 miles of rail in seven years. Salt Lake City International Airport is slated for a major overhaul. We strongly support all of these projects. Continued investment in roads, transit and air traffic improves our economic competitiveness.

Invest in the Future – Our economy will be stronger if we invest in transportation projects of the future. Innovative intersections, urban streetcars, mountain railways, high-speed interstate travel and strategic bypasses are examples of ways in which Utah can become even more competitive.  

RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS:

Strengthened Utah’s Transportation Infrastructure and Put Utahns Back to Work – The Chamber championed aggressive investment in transportation projects, resulting in nearly $7 billion invested in Utah’s infrastructure, including highways and transit.  The investment came at a critical time and took advantage of low construction and bonding costs. 

Championed Robust Highway Funding – Governor Huntsman and Governor Herbert both embraced the Chamber’s recommendations to the Utah Legislature to continue significant financing for Utah’s highways. Funding for Utah roads in 2009 was at an all-time high of $2.3 billion. When added to prior funding commitments, total investment in Utah’s highways will approach $4 billion in 2010. This investment has funded 220 projects?statewide in 2009, and will provide funding for 110?projects in 2010, including:

• Re-build of 15 lane miles of I-80 in Salt Lake County between State Street and 1300 East

• Adding express lanes on I-15 from 500 North in Salt?Lake City to the I-215 interchange in Davis County

• Adding a new I-15 interchange at 11400 South

• Widening 10400 South in Salt Lake County

• Begin Mountain View Corridor construction in Lehi?and in Salt Lake County

• Begin I-15 CORE, the reconstruction of I-15 in Utah County

• Adding auxiliary lanes on I-15 in each direction between 7800 and 10000 South in Salt Lake County

• Re-build of S.R. 92 in Utah County

• Adding truck lanes on I-15 in Washington County

Supported Continued Transit Funding – Beginning in 2006 with its support for local initiatives to increase sales tax for transit, the Chamber has helped the Utah Transit Authority secure up to $2.8 billion to complete its 2015 plan to add 70 miles of rail in seven years. This 70 miles includes:

• Mid-Jordan TRAX line, 10 miles

• West Valley TRAX line, 5 miles

• FrontRunner commuter rail from Utah County to Salt Lake City, 45 miles

• Draper TRAX line, 4 miles

• Airport TRAX line, 6 miles

Supported Airport Expansion and Delta Hub – The Chamber has and continues to support the expansion and reconstruction of Salt Lake City International Airport to accommodate the ever-increasing traffic associated with being a hub for Delta Air Lines. The Chamber has also successfully championed the addition of direct Delta flights from Salt Lake City to Paris and to Tokyo, enhancing Utah’s image and increasing Utah’s competitiveness as an international business center and travel destination.   

Innovating for the Future – The Chamber supports innovative ways to move people in the future in efficient and cost effective ways, including the use of urban streetcars, mountain railways and high speed interstate trains.

Committee Membership:

Chair: Kip Wadsworth, President, Ralph Wadsworth Construction

Carlos Alegre, Granite Construction

Mike Allegra, Utah Transit Authority

Zane Atkinson, Flying J

Des Barker, Barker & Associates

Craig Bickmore, Utah Auto Dealers Association

Tom Bingham, Utah Manufacturers Association

Michael Brodsky, Hamlet Homes

Ken Bullock, Utah League of Cities and Towns 

Kristine Cartwright, K. Cartwright Associates, Inc. 

Chuck Chappell, Wasatch Front Regional Council 

Rick Chesnut, Terracon 

Wilford Clyde, Clyde Companies 

Darrell Cook, Mountainland Association of Governments 

Ed Cooper, Ashgrove Cement 

David Creer, Utah Trucking Association

Gina Crezee, Rio Tinto

Jerry Dewey, Associated Food Stores 

Carrie Dunn, XO Marketing Group

Dan England, CR England Trucking 

Chris Ensign, JLC Signs 

Bob Ett, MHTN 

Rolayne Fairclough, AAA Utah

Chris Gamvroulas, Ivory Development 

Andrew Gemperline, CB Richard Ellis

Steve Goodrich, UPS

Joe Grose, Sunstate Equipment

Tim Harpst, Salt Lake City

Jeffery Harris, HNTB 

Bill Holder, ASPD

Tom Hori, Redcon

Dan Johnson, Chevron Texaco

Sam Klemm, Wasatch Front Regional Council

Steve Kroes, Utah Foundation

Chris Kyler, Utah Association of Realtors

Dave Layton, Layton Construction

Mike Long, Holcim Cement

Alan Lord, Presidio Group

Alan Matheson, Envision Utah

Rand MacDonald, WR Advisors

Matthew Miller, Wilbur Smith

Brett Okland, Okland Construction

Clark Olsen, Pacific Bridge

Jim Olsen, Utah Food Industry Association

Mike Ostermiller, Ogden Weber Association

of Realtors

Scott Parson, Staker Parson Companies

Lee Peacock, Utah Petroleum Association

Craig Peterson, ACEC Utah

Monica Rafferty, Coldwell Banker Commerical

Lincoln Shurtz, Utah League of Cities and Towns

Michael Smith, ACEC Utah

Shelly Teuscher, Parson Behle & Latimer

Rich Thorn, Associated General Contractors of Utah

Clint Topham, Parsons Brinckerhoff

Royce Van Tassell, Utah Taxpayers Association

Guy Wadsworth, Wadsworth Brothers Construction

Kip Wadsworth, Ralph Wadsworth Construction

Tom Warne, Tom Warne and Associates

LaVarr Webb, Exoro Group

Clare Williams, Union Pacific

Eli Willis, Godfrey Trucking

David Zimmerman, Holland & Hart