Mid-Jordan and West Valley TRAX Lines Part of State’s Largest Transportation Project

 Hanson Pipe & Precast, a leader in the concrete products industry, is providing railroad grade crossings to two projects initiated by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) in cooperation with the Federal Transit Authority. The Mid-Jordan TRAX line, a 10.6-mile light rail system and the 5.1-mile West Valley TRAX light rail extension are part of the largest transportation project ever commissioned in the state of Utah.

Kiewit, Herzog, Parsons (KHP), under contract to UTA, selected Hanson Pipe & Precast to provide 4,600 feet of its Premier® Railroad Crossings for the Mid-Jordan TRAX line project. Hanson’s Portland, Oregon and Washington, Utah facilities are participating in the design, manufacturing and transportation of the crossings for the estimated $500 million project. The company began shipping crossings in October 2008.

The contractor on the West Valley TRAX Line, Stacy & Witbeck and Kiewit J.V. selected Hanson Pipe & Precast to provide 2,200 feet of Premier® Railroad Crossings for the $250 million light rail extension project. Hanson’s St. George, Utah facility will begin shipping Premier crossings in March 2009.

The two project teams selected the Premier precast concrete grade crossing, made of 7000 psi, corrosion resistant concrete, due to its economy, ease of installation and durability. The Premier crossings will provide the UTA with grade crossings that are virtually maintenance free for years to come.
“It is important to focus funding on projects like the Mid-Jordan and West Valley TRAX lines that will benefit both the communities and the economy,” said Richard Manning, president of Hanson Building Products North America. “It’s good to know that through the use of our product we can help alleviate traffic, provide convenient transportation for current residents and accommodate a much larger population in the near future.”

The Mid-Jordan and West Valley TRAX line rail systems will be of significant benefit to Salt Lake City, its surrounding communities and the state of Utah, one of the fastest growing states in the country. Utah’s population is expected to increase by an estimated one million people by the year 2030.  The current travel demand is already advancing the state’s population growth, increasing an average of four percent each year. The Mid-Jordan and West Valley TRAX lines aim to improve the transportation system and prepare for the rapid population increase.

Clifford Hahne, senior vice president of Hanson Building Products Western region added, “The Mid-Jordan line will make transportation much easier in high-density areas of the valley. There was a definite need for the system, which will not only improve traffic issues, but also lessen air pollution and prepare for a larger community.”

The Mid-Jordan 10.6-mile light rail system will run through the communities of Murray, Midvale, West Jordan and South Jordan.  When completed, the project will interline with the Sandy/Salt Lake TRAX line with direct service to the Salt Lake Central Station in downtown Salt Lake City, where it will connect with UTA’s FrontRunner commuter rail system and bus service.  It features nine new stations with a projected ridership of 19,000 passengers per day for the rail between 6400 South and Daybreak South and an estimated 25,000 passengers per day from Daybreak South to downtown Salt Lake City by 2030.

The 5.1-mile West Valley light rail extension will improve transit travel between West Valley City, Utah’s second largest city and the Salt Lake City. The line extension will connect West Valley’s residential, shopping, business and entertainment venues and offer easy connections to downtown Salt Lake City, the University of Utah and eventually Draper and the Salt Lake City International Airport.

The West Valley extension includes four new stations and will provide the estimated 9,000 to 12,000 daily passengers a viable alternative to automobiles.

Construction began in May 2008 for the Mid-Jordan line and should be completed by 2012.  The West Valley line began construction in June 2008 with anticipated completion late 2011 or early 2012.  For more information on the Mid-Jordan and West Valley lines please visit www.rideuta.com.

About Hanson Pipe & Precast
Hanson Pipe & Precast is the largest manufacturer of concrete pipe and precast products in North America.  With more than 4,800 employees, the company has a network of manufacturing facilities and delivery capabilities that span the continent.  Hanson Pipe & Precast products are used in residential and commercial applications that support our infrastructure’s needs, including storm water drainage and water transportation.  For more information, visit www.hansonpipeandprecast.com.

About Hanson Building Products North America
Hanson Building Products North America is comprised of Hanson Pipe & Precast, Hanson Pressure Pipe, Hanson Structural Precast, Hanson Brick, Hanson Hardscapes and Hanson Roof Tile. Based in Irving, Texas, Hanson Building Products North America employs more than 6,000 people and operates 150 facilities with products available throughout the U.S. and Canada. For more information, please visit www.hanson.com.

We are part of the HeidelbergCement Group, which employs 70,000 people across five continents. HeidelbergCement is the global leader in aggregates and has leading positions in cement, concrete and heavy building products.