Weber State section of Ogden Express BRT route nearly ready
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- The OGX BRT route through the Weber State University campus is nearing completion. This photo taken Sunday, July 17, 2022, shows the Wildcat Village stop, bottom, and the dedicated route going southward toward the Dee Events Center stop, top. The electric busses are expected to begin service through the three WSU stops for the 2022-23 school year and testing of the system is expected to begin in the near future.
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- A rendering of art by Hillary Wallace to be placed at the OGX BRT route’s Dee Events Center Station on the Weber State University campus.
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- A rendering of art by Hillary Wallace to be placed at the OGX BRT route’s Dee Events Center Station on the Weber State University campus.
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- A rendering of art by Hillary Wallace to be placed at the OGX BRT route’s Wildcat Village Station on the Weber State University campus.
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- A rendering of art by Hillary Wallace to be placed at the OGX BRT route’s Wildcat Village Station on the Weber State University campus.
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- A rendering of art by Alicia Hall to be placed at the OGX BRT route’s Weber State Central Station on the Weber State University campus.
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- A rendering of art by Alicia Hall to be placed at the OGX BRT route’s Weber State Central Station on the Weber State University campus.
OGDEN — With the first phase of the Utah Transit Authority’s bus rapid transit system due to be up and running on Aug. 29, Weber State University students can look forward to additional shuttle services just in time for the fall semester.
The new Ogden Express, abbreviated OGX, will provide riders with a clean-air ride in an electric bus to and from the Dee Events Center, Wildcat Village and Central Station in the middle of campus every 10 minutes. Once completed, the full route will connect the campus to downtown Ogden.
Public Relations Specialist James Larson said UTA is hopeful the OGX will benefit WSU students who cannot afford a parking pass as well as offering alternate transportation to the Dee in times of congestion during games and events.
Larson estimates the OGX BRT system to be fully completed in fall 2023, at which time bus routes 455, 625 and 640 will be available from the Dee Events Center intermodal hub.
Drivers along Harrison Boulevard expect lane changes in about two weeks as construction crews shift their focus from the west side of the road to the east side.
According to Larson, once construction on the east side of Harrison is complete, UTA will begin working on center lanes in the fall.
While business entrances within the construction corridor on Harrison are due to be paved this week, Larson said the agency is still waiting on concrete for walkways, bus parking areas and the station platform at the Dee Intermodal Hub.
Ogden City’s Arts, Culture and Events Division began working with UTA, WSU and Intermountain Healthcare in February 2021 to enhance the upcoming BRT platforms with colorful murals as a beautification statement.
Twenty-two BRT platforms are being enhanced with art specific to each of 13 locations along the fixed route from Ogden’s FrontRunner Station on Wall Avenue through downtown up to dedicated bus lanes in the center of Harrison Boulevard through Weber State’s campus to McKay-Dee Hospital.
All BRT enhancements are being created by artists chosen through a nationwide request for qualifications by Ogden City Arts with the exception of WSU main campus, Wildcat Village and the Dee Events Center. Artists Alicia Hall, Ben Adams and Hillary Wallace were selected in-house for those stations.
A ground-breaking event for the OGX at Weber State and the Dee Event Center is scheduled for 10 a.m. Aug. 25 inside the Browning Center located on campus.
