Salt Lake City residents have until Sept. 25 to weigh in on a two-year planning study aimed at fixing the physical divide between the city's Westside and downtown areas. The WE Connect study is currently seeking community input to prioritize 10 proposed corridors intended to improve travel by car, foot, bike, and transit across the barriers of I-15 and major railroad tracks.
A Century of Division
The West-East divide is a legacy of the railroad's arrival in Salt Lake City in 1870, just one year after the transcontinental railroad was joined in Utah. According to the Salt Lake City Department of Transportation, this infrastructure has separated Westside neighborhoods from the downtown core for over 150 years, creating significant barriers to movement and community cohesion.
While the railroad initially caused the split, the arrival of freeways in subsequent decades exacerbated the issue by introducing unsafe conditions and pollution to the Westside. The City noted that high-speed interchanges and freeway widening further expanded these infrastructure barriers, making it increasingly difficult for residents to navigate the area.
Impact on Westside Residents
The study area is roughly defined by the boundaries of I-215, 2100 North, 2100 South, and 300 West, with I-15 and the railroad lines running through the center. This division has created documented safety and transit challenges for local residents.
Data collected during the first phase of the study, which ran from May 2 to June 20, 2025, highlighted the severity of the issue. Of the 1,051 community members who participated in that phase—primarily from the Rose Park, Poplar Grove, and Glendale neighborhoods—71% reported that their travel is delayed weekly or more often. Additionally, approximately 48% of respondents stated they are unable to access the goods and services they need within their own neighborhoods.
Safety and Transit Challenges
The divide has also resulted in significant safety concerns for pedestrians and cyclists. The Salt Lake City Department of Transportation reported that people walking or biking have been killed or injured by trains in the area during several instances, including in July 2018, August 2018, December 2018, and October 2023.
In response to the logistical difficulties, residents often resort to detours. During the initial phase of the study, participants reported that they are forced to use overpasses to avoid train delays approximately half the time, even when those routes are farther than their intended destinations.
Study Framework and Funding
The WE Connect initiative is a two-year planning effort that began in 2025. It is being led by Salt Lake City in partnership with the Utah Transit Authority, the Utah Department of Transportation, and various other stakeholders. The study is supported by funding from the federal Reconnecting Communities Pilot Grant Program, with additional local match commitments from the Salt Lake City Community Reinvestment Agency and Salt Lake City Public Utilities.
While the study is designed to identify and prioritize projects, the City clarified that the study itself provides no capital funding. Any resulting proposals would require additional funding and the coordination and permission of every entity that controls the affected area through ownership, easement, or policy.
Community-Driven Solutions
Community engagement has been a central component of the study. Following the initial phase, the team returned in early 2026 to brainstorm solutions, hosting or visiting 19 community events and conducting 350 in-person conversations with Westside residents. This process resulted in more than 500 online comments.
Residents have proposed a wide range of solutions to bridge the divide. These ideas include burying the train lines and adding new bridges or tunnels. Other requested improvements focus on transit and neighborhood amenities, such as more GREENbike stations, better street lighting, more frequent and reliable transit, and the development of walkable business districts. Residents also expressed a need for Westside-specific amenities, including a high school, hospital, and childcare facilities.
The Path to 2026
The study is currently in a phase where the team is evaluating community ideas based on cost, feasibility, and necessary involvement. This evaluation resulted in a set of proposed improvements for 10 specific corridors, which were shared with the public during two block parties in August.
The final plan, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, will be shaped by the results of the current survey. Residents are encouraged to visit the Salt Lake City website to rank the 10 corridors by the September 25 deadline.
Past and Future Projects
The Salt Lake City Department of Transportation has previously undertaken several projects to address Westside connectivity, including the 300 North pedestrian bridge and street reconstruction, the 400 South Viaduct Trail, and the 900 South street reconstruction and 9 Line Trail. Other efforts include traffic calming projects and the 600/700 North reconstruction scheduled for 2026.
