This half-mile art piece highlights Salt Lake City’s longest transportation challenge
Salt Lake City residents are facing a longstanding challenge to east-west travel, a situation highlighted by a new public art installation and ongoing city studies. The difficulties stem from a combination of historical infrastructure – dating back to the 1870s with the construction of railroad corridors – and more recent developments like the addition of I-15 and I-80.
A City Divided
For Kurt Fisher, a volunteer at the 9-Line Community Garden, the issue is a regular frustration. He estimates being delayed by trains at least 25% of the time when traveling from his home near downtown. These delays can range from 15 to 20 minutes, and, according to a preliminary city study released in November, can extend to as long as 14 hours in the most severe cases.
A Symbolic Response
To draw attention to this ongoing problem, the city unveiled “Voces al Vineto” on Thursday. This half-mile art installation features papel picado, a traditional Mexican craft of intricately cut paper designs, along the 9-Line trail between 600 West and 700 West, crossing both the railroad tracks and I-15.
The colorful banners were created by residents of the west side as part of the larger West–East Connections Study. Luis Novoa, executive director of Artes de Mexico en Utah and the project’s lead artist, described the installation as “a symbol of different colours and designs coming together to create a beautiful symphony of experiences and voices.”
Looking Ahead
The papel picado installation will remain in place for at least the next few weeks, coinciding with a series of community open houses. Residents can learn more about the West–East Connections Study at events held at the Other Side Village on February 5th and the Sorenson Unity centre on February 12th.
The $3.7 million study, largely funded by a U.S. Department of Transportation grant, is exploring a range of potential solutions. Ideas already discussed include increased bike-sharing programmes, more retail options on the west side, and even burying the rail corridor west of downtown – a plan known as the Rio Grande Plan.
Joe Taylor, a transportation planner for Salt Lake City, noted that solutions could range from quick fixes to “decades-long megaprojects.” The city anticipates receiving the final study, along with a cost-benefit analysis, by late 2026 or early 2027. At that point, city leaders will begin the process of securing funding and implementing chosen solutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is causing the transportation challenges in Salt Lake City?
The city’s east-west transportation divide is a result of the railroad corridor constructed in the 1870s, further complicated by the later addition of I-15 and I-80, and increasingly frequent and longer freight trains.
What is “Voces al Vineto”?
“Voces al Vineto” is a half-mile art installation featuring papel picado, a traditional Mexican decorative craft, created by west-side residents to highlight the challenges of crossing the railroad tracks and I-15.
When can residents learn more about the West–East Connections Study?
Community open houses are scheduled at the Other Side Village (1882 W. Indiana Ave.) on February 5th from 5:30 p.m. To 7:30 p.m. And at the Sorenson Unity centre (1383 S. 900 West) on February 12th during the same hours.
As Salt Lake City grapples with this century-old problem, what role do you think community art can play in shaping urban planning and infrastructure improvements?