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Utah Valley Express

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Utah Valley Express, also known as UVX, is a bus rapid transit (BRT) line in central Utah County, Utah, United States. The line is operated by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) and runs between southwest Orem to south central Provo by way of Utah Valley University (UVU) and Brigham Young University (BYU). It began service with a soft opening on August 13, 2018, while the station platforms were being finished and was formally opened on January 9, 2019. It is the second of several BRT lines that UTA has or is planning in Utah County and the Salt Lake Valley.

Utah Valley Express
UVX bus operating on North 700 East
Overview
Other name(s)Provo Orem MAX
OwnerUtah Transit Authority (UTA)
LocaleProvo and Orem, Utah
Termini
Stations17[1]
Service
TypeBus rapid transit (BRT)
SystemUTA bus rapid transit
Route number830X
Depot(s)Mount Timpanogos
Rolling stockNew Flyer XDE60
Ridership10,000[2]
History
OpenedAugust 13, 2018; 6 years ago (August 13, 2018)
Technical
Line length11.0 mi (17.7 km)
Operating speed50 mph (80 km/h) (max)
Route map

Legend
 750 
to Ogden
via Salt Lake
 Orem Central
UVU
Lakeview
Main Street
University Place
2230 North
BYU Stadium
BYU North Campus
BYU South Campus
Joaquin
Academy Square
300 North
Center Street
400 South
Provo Central
Towne Centre Blvd
East Bay North
East Bay South
Handicapped/disabled access all stations accessible
busway stop
on-street stop
This diagram:

Description

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The Utah Valley Express line connects the Orem FrontRunner station with UVU, the University Mall, BYU, downtown Provo, the Provo FrontRunner station, the Provo Towne Centre mall, the East Bay Business Park and follows a route primarily along University Parkway (SR-265) and University Avenue (US-189).[3] The line includes 17 stops (stations) and runs at 10-15 minute intervals, with 6 minute headways during peak hours and no service on Sundays.[4]

UTA had anticipated having the Utah Valley Express operational by the time the Provo and Orem FrontRunner stations opened in the fall of 2012, but by early July 2016 construction on the line had yet to commence.[5] The Federal Transit Administration reported that construction would begin in mid 2016 and that service would begin in 2019.[6] The initial cost of the Utah Valley Express was estimated to be nearly $160 million.[7][8]

The Utah Valley Express connects with the FrontRunner at both the Provo and Orem intermodal centers (stations). The FrontRunner is a commuter rail service run by UTA that operates along the Wasatch Front with service from Provo, through Salt Lake County (including Salt Lake City), Davis County, Weber County, and Ogden. The FrontRunner also connects with UTA's TRAX light rail system in the Salt Lake Valley[9] as well as Amtrak's (the National Railroad Passenger Corporation) California Zephyr[Note 1][10] (which runs daily between Chicago, Illinois, and the San Francisco Bay Area) and Greyhound inter-city buses.

History

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First three of the new New Flyer XDE60 buses for the Utah Valley Express at the Timpanogos Maintenance Facility, December 2017

As the initial route was nearing finalization in early 2013, Brigham Young University announced that it was closing a portion of East Campus Drive.[11][12] Even though none of the (then current) Utah Valley Express route ran along this road (although it had been previously anticipated),[13] the closure of this five lane road would affect traffic on nearby streets, primarily 900 East. Since the traffic projections were based upon the use of East Campus Drive, it became prudent to re-assess the portion of the route in the area of 900 East to ensure that the previously preferred route was still the best option. As part of this discussion many alternatives arose, but the original route kept, with a few modifications.[14] One of the major considerations for keeping the original route was the strong possibility of losing federal funding, as well as substantial financial support from the Mountainland Association of Governments.[15][16][17]

Other changes that were made later in the process included the stop that was initially planned to be located at about 1100 North 900 East. It was first moved slightly north to just north of Birch Lane/Heritage Drive in front of the BYU Creamery. However, this stop was later eliminated altogether in favor of two new stops, one on the southeast edge of BYU campus (on 900 North) and one on the northeast edge of campus (on University Parkway), at the south entrance to the Missionary Training Center). Additional improvement recommendations were also added along 900 East, including 10 feet (3.0 m) sidewalks.

In March 2015 the Federal Transit Administration approved the Environmental Assessment submitted by UTA in late 2014 with a "Finding of No Significant Impact."[18]

In April 2016, Provo City and Orem City voted to approve a 50-year lease agreement allowing UTA to construct dedicated lanes and other improvements on local roads owned by Provo and Orem (mainly on 700 North in Provo and near UVU in Orem).[19] However, this decision received significant opposition from some residents.[20]

Service began with a soft opening on August 13, 2018, while the station platforms were being finished and was formally opened on January 9, 2019, with several dignitaries in attendance including BYU President Kevin J. Worthen, Provo mayor Michelle Kaufusi, UVU President Astrid S. Tuminez, Orem mayor Richard Brunst, and mascots Cosmo the Cougar and Willy the Wolverine.

Through 2023 there is no fee to ride on the UVX thanks to a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation.[21][22]

Name

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While the line was being designed and under construction, it was known as the Provo-Orem Bus Rapid Transit or the Provo-Orem MAX. The project was sometimes referred to as the Provo-Orem Transportation Improvement Project (Provo-Orem TRIP), although the BRT line was only a part of the overall Provo-Orem TRIP project to improve transportation in the area.

In the fall of 2017 UTA asked the public for name suggestions for the new line, the Provo-Orem TRIP Executive Committee then selected their top choices from the suggestions. Following a trademark review of the committee's choices, the public was presented, for a vote, with three names: TimpRunner, TimpExpress, or Utah Valley Express. Following the vote, in which 524 persons out of approximately 950 votes selected Utah Valley Express, the UTA Board of Trustees approved the Utah Valley Express name during their March 28, 2018, meeting.[23]

Future

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As the need increases and funding becomes available, Phase II improvements will be implemented. In Phase II, the northwest end of the Utah Valley Express will be rerouted directly east from the Orem station along West 800 South (instead of south along Geneva Road) and connect with the UVU campus by way of a new high-occupancy/toll (HOT) interchange overpass. It will then pass by the north and east edges of the UVU campus before reaching University Parkway and continuing along the remainder of its original route. As part of the reroute, the single BRT stop on the south side of the UVU campus (UCU/Sandhill) will be replaced by three new stops along the north and east sides of campus.[24] The cost of Phase II is anticipated to be about $18 million.[8]

In addition to the Phase II improvements to the line, UTA also plans to eventually augment the Utah Valley Express with additional (BRT) lines within about 7–16 years. One of the lines will run north from the Provo station following along 500 West (US-89) in Provo; State Street (US-89) through Provo, Orem, Lindon, Pleasant Grove; and Main Street (US-89) through American Fork until it reaches the American Fork FrontRunner station. Another BRT line will run south from the Provo station though East Bay Business Park, then east along 1860 South to State Street (US-89), then south through Springville on Main Street (US-89), then southwest along South State Road (SR-51) to Spanish Fork, finally through Spanish Fork (on Expressway Lane, 800 North, Main Street, Center Street) until it reaches the planned FrontRunner station in Spanish Fork (west of I-15 and south of Center Street).[25]

Route

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Unofficial Provo Orem BRT route map. Stop names/locations are subject to change.

The Utah Valley Express is designated as UTA Route 830X. (The following route is description of the "locally preferred route" (LPR) and is still subject to minor changes before finalization.)

South Orem

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The Utah Valley Express passenger platform and northern shelter at Orem station, February 2016

The Utah Valley Express begins at the Orem Intermodal Center (FrontRunner station), which is located at 900 South 1350 West. After heading west to and then briefly south on Geneva Road (SR-114), it heads east on University Parkway (SR-265) to cross over I-15 and then turn north on Sandhill Road. At the end of this very short stretch of Sandhill Road it turns east (through the roundabout) and then heads east on College Drive (on the southern edge of the UVU campus) until it reaches the UVU stop on College Drive and/or West 1200 South. From that stop it continues east on West 1200 South until it reaches another roundabout at 400 West. Immediately after turning south on South 400 West and then east again on University Parkway it reaches the Lakeview stop (located in the median of West University Parkway, just east of South 400 West).

From the 400 West stop the Utah Valley Express continues east in dedicated inside lanes and ascends the Provo Bench and crosses South 200 West and South Main Street. Immediately after crossing South Main Street it arrives at the Main Street stop (located in the median of East University Parkway, just east of South Main Street). After that stop it continues east in its dedicated inside lanes, crossing South 200 East and State Street (US-89) before passing by the south side of University Place and reaching the last stop in Orem (University Place) at about 700 East. The platforms for this stop are also located in the median of East University Parkway. Shortly after that stop, it crosses South 800 East and then heads southeast on East University Parkway to descend the Provo Bench as it leaves Orem and enters Provo.

North Provo

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Continuing southeast on North University Parkway in its dedicated inside lanes the Utah Valley Express reaches the 2230 North stop just after crossing 2230 North/550 West in Provo. The platform for this stop is again located in the median of North University Parkway. From that stop it continues southeast on North University Parkway in its dedicated lanes until it passes over the Provo River and then crosses North 200 West (Freedom Boulevard) and North University Avenue (US-189).

Immediately after crossing North University Avenue, the Utah Valley Express continues east on East University Parkway in shared lanes and crosses North Canyon Road (North 150 East) before passing by the northern edge of the BYU campus and the southern side of the LaVell Edwards Stadium. Just east of the stadium it arrives at the BYU Stadium stop at about 350 East. The platforms for this stop are located on the sides of East University Parkway, directly north of the Larry H. Miller baseball and softball fields and immediately east of the signalized intersection with the events parking lot access.[Note 2] Since there are no dedicated lanes along this portion of the route, bus turnouts are included for this stop. From this stop it continues east on East University Parkway. At about 850 East it reaches the next (yet unnamed) stop. This stop has two platforms on both sides of East University Parkway. A new crosswalk with a traffic light was constructed that continues straight north across East University Parkway from the existing sidewalk (pedestrian path) that runs along the east side of the Harmon Building. The stops are just west of the crosswalk and the current parking lot access. Since there are still no dedicated lanes along this portion of the route, bus turnouts were also included for the BYU North Campus stop.

After that stop the Utah Valley Express continues in shared traffic lanes to turn south onto North 900 East and pass by the eastern edge of BYU campus. Shortly after crossing Birch Lane/Heritage Drive, it turns west onto East 900 North and quickly reaches the (BYU South Campus) stop on the southeast corner of BYU campus. This will stop is the primary stop for BYU campus and has two platforms (one on each side of East 900 North), rather than a single platform in the median and are located west of East Campus Drive. From that stop it turns south on North 700 East.[Note 3] There are dedicated outside lanes on East 900 North between East Campus Drive and North 900 East, except for the easternmost portion for the northbound buses (heading east at this point) which cross from the outside lane to make a left-hand turn onto North 900 East. Also, regular traffic between East Campus Drive and North 900 East is reduced from two lanes to one lane in each direction.

After briefly continuing south on North 700 East in shared lanes the Utah Valley Express turns west again onto East 700 North. Continuing on, in dedicated lanes once again, it heads east until it crosses North 600 East and North 500 East, passes by far southern edge of BYU campus, reaches the Joaquin stop (located in the median of East 700 North just east of North 400 East). From that stop it continues west again, still in its dedicated inside lanes, and crosses North 400 East, North 300 East, North 200 East, North 100 East, before finally arriving at North University Avenue.

Upon reaching North University Avenue again, the Utah Valley Express turns south on that road and continues on, still in its dedicated inside lanes, to cross 600 North and arrive at the Academy Square stop (located in the median of University Avenue, at about 600 North northwest of the Provo City Library). From that stop it continues south in its dedicated inside lanes and crosses 500 North, 400 North, 300 North and then arrives at the 300 North stop (located in the median of University Avenue, just south of 300 North). After that stop it enters the main downtown Provo business district and continues south in its dedicated inside lanes and crosses 200 North, 100 North, Center Street.

South Provo

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After crossing Center Street the Utah Valley Express immediately arrives at the Center Street stop (located in the median of University Avenue just south of Center Street in front of the Provo City Center Temple). From that stop it continues south, still in its dedicated inside lanes, crossing 200 South and 300 South (US-89) before reaching the 400 South stop (located in the median of University Avenue, just north of 400 South). After crossing 400 South it continues in shared lanes (beyond the 400 South stop there are no more dedicated lanes for the Utah Valley Express) as it crosses over the 600 South and the Union Pacific and FrontRunner tracks on the South University Avenue Viaduct. Immediately after the viaduct it crosses 780 South and then reaches 920 South and turn west. After briefly heading west on West 920 South, it turns north onto South 100 East. After crossing West 700 South it reaches Provo Central Station (FrontRunner station).

After its stop at the Provo Intermodal Center, the Utah Valley Express heads briefly west on West 700 South until it once again reaches Freedom Boulevard (South 200 West). After turning south on South 200 West it continues in shared lanes as it passes through the West 920 South roundabout, crosses West 1020 South and reaches Towne Centre Boulevard. At Towne Centre Boulevard it turns east and continues very briefly until the road turns south. Continuing south, still in shared lanes, it reaches the Towne Centre Blvd stop as it passes by the east side of the mall closest to the JC Penney. It then continues south on Town Centre Boulevard (at about 100 West) until it reaches Towne Centre Drive (at about 1450 South) and turns east on that road. Continuing east in shared lanes Towne Centre Drive becomes East Bay Boulevard after it crosses South University Avenue.

Continuing east in a shared lane on East East Bay Boulevard it crosses South 40 East before reaching the East Bay North stop (located just east of South 180 East on the eastbound lanes). It then crosses South 180 East before turning south as East Bay Boulevard curves and becomes East Bay Boulevard. Upon reaching East 1860 South it turns west and, while still in a shared lane, it arrives at the East Bay South stop (located on the west bound lanes). From that stop it continues west until it once again reaches South University Avenue. After turning north on South University Avenue, it continues north until it turns west on Towne Centre Drive.

The Utah Valley Express stops only once at both the East Bay North and South stops (in one direction only) as it loops clockwise through the East Bay Businsess Park. After turning west onto Towne Centre Drive, it follows its route back to the Orem Intermodal Center as it stops at all the other stops/stations alone its route. Occasionally, buses will head north through the Freedom Boulevard roundabout and turn into Provo Central Station at 750 South.

Stops

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Utah Valley Express (Orem - Provo)
Stop City Southbound Station Northbound Station UTA Bus
Connections
[Note 4] 		Park and
Ride Lot 		Notes & Other Connections
Northern end of the line
Orem Central station Orem 900 South 1350 West 841, 862 Yes  750  FrontRunner
UVU 701 West 1200 South 701 West 1200 South 805*, 806*, 807*, 811*, 822*, 831*, 841*, 862* No Serves Utah Valley University (UVU)
Lakeview 390 West University Parkway (SR-265) Serves UVU and southwestern Orem business district (400 West)
Main Street 10 East University Parkway (SR-265) 811*, 831* Serves south central Orem business district (Main Street)
University Place 570 East University Parkway (SR-265) 811*, 831*, 850*, 862*, 880* Serves University Mall and southeastern Orem business district
2230 North Provo 2220 North University Parkway (SR-265) 831* Serves northwestern Provo business district
BYU Stadium 372 East University Parkway 372 East University Parkway Serves northwestern Brigham Young University (BYU), including LaVell Edwards Stadium and Marriott Center
BYU North Campus 716 East University Parkway 716 East University Parkway Serves the Missionary Training Center, Provo Utah Temple, and northeastern BYU, including student housing
BYU South Campus 735 East 900 North 735 East 900 North 822 Serves the southeastern BYU (main campus)
Joaquin 424 East 700 North Serves off campus student housing (south of BYU)
Academy Square 592 North University Avenue Serves north central Provo business district (including the Provo City Library) and off campus student housing (southwest of BYU)
300 North 298 North University Avenue (US 189) Serves north central downtown Provo business district
Center Street 12 South University Avenue (US 189) Serves central downtown Provo business district (including the Utah County Administration, the Utah County Health and Justice building, the Utah State office building, the NuSkin buildings, the Provo City Center LDS Temple)
400 South 392 South University Avenue (US 189) Serves south central downtown Provo business district
Provo Central station 610 South University Avenue 805, 821, 830, 831, 833, 834, 850 Yes  750  FrontRunner
Greyhound
Amtrak's California Zephyr at nearby Provo station
Towne Centre Blvd 1272 Towne Centre Boulevard 821 No Serves Provo Towne Centre
East Bay North
[Note 5] 		172 East East Bay Boulevard 821 Serves northern East Bay Business Park
East Bay South[Note 5] 202 East Lakeview Parkway Serves southern East Bay Business Park, including Novell
Southern end of the line
*Indicates bus connections which do not connect directly at station/stop, but are easily accessible nearby (as indicated)

Future Stops

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As part of Phase II three new stops will be created on the north and northeast side of the UVU campus and the stop on the south side of campus (UVU) will be eliminated.

Utah Valley Express (Orem - Provo)
Stop Name
[1] 		City Southbound Station Northbound Station UTA Bus
Connections
[Note 6] 		Park and
Ride Lot 		Notes & Other Connections
800 South Orem 807, 831, 862 No
UVU North 807, 831, 862
UVU South 807, 831, 862

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ While the FrontRunner connects with the Amtrak station in Salt Lake City, the California Zephyr also stops in Provo. The Provo Amtrak station is located about a block west of the Provo Intermodal Center, but has limited services (no ticketing, no baggage check, no indoor waiting room, etc.).
  2. ^ Construction of an additional island platform has been considered for the BYU Stadium stop (in median of East University Parkway, between the other two platforms). Use of this platform would be limited to game day service and would allow for additional buses to load and unload from the inside lanes of East University Parkway in both directions.
  3. ^ While minor modifications to most of the intersections along the Utah Valley Express route have occurred, the intersection of North 700 East and East 900 North is the only one that required a major realignment during Phase I. Previously, the north end of North 700 East terminated at East 900 North in a T-intersection. Traffic turning left from North 700 East onto East 900 North (BYU campus) was required to stop, while traffic turning east was only required to yield. Crews modified the current alignment such that East 900 North now curves south through the intersection to become North 700 East. The portion of East 900 North west of North 700 East now curves slightly to the south to form a three-way intersection (roughly a T) at the midpoint of the curve of the other two roads. However, westbound traffic on East 900 North now has a lane that continues straight through, bypassing the actual intersection. The result is that the only traffic required to stop is eastbound from East 900 North and the only traffic required to yield is turning left onto East 900 North from North 700 East.
  4. ^ Bus connection routes are current as of Change Day, August 17, 2014
  5. ^ a b The Utah Valley Express does a clockwise loop through the East Bay Business Park. As result it only stops once on the north side of the business park and once on the south side of the business park (near Novell) before returning to the Provo Towne Centre (without stopping on the north side of the business park again).
  6. ^ Bus connection routes are current as of Change Day, December 8, 2013

References

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  1. ^ a b "Project Overview". provoorembrt.com. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  2. ^ "Orem council briefed on TransPlan50". heraldextra.com. Retrieved January 18, 2019.
  3. ^ Federal Transit Administration. "Provo-Orem Bus Rapid Transit" (PDF). fta.dot.gov. United States Department of Transportation. p. 3. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 21, 2013. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  4. ^ "Provo Orem BRT". rideuta.com. Utah Transit Authority. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
  5. ^ "Provo Intermodal Center" (PDF). rideuta.com. Utah Transit Authority. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  6. ^ Federal Transit Administration. "Provo-Orem Bus Rapid Transit" (PDF). fta.dot.gov. United States Department of Transportation. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 21, 2013. Retrieved March 18, 2014. UTA anticipates a Small Starts Grant Agreement in 2016, followed by construction in the same year and the initiation of revenue service in late 2019.
  7. ^ Federal Transit Administration. "Provo-Orem Bus Rapid Transit" (PDF). fta.dot.gov. United States Department of Transportation. p. 2. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 21, 2013. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  8. ^ a b "PROVO-OREM BUS RAPID TRANSIT Environmental Assessment: Executive Summary" (PDF). rideuta.com. Utah Transit Authority. April 2011. p. 3. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
  9. ^ "UTA RAIL SYSTEM MAP". rideuta.com. Utah Transit Authority. December 2013. Archived from the original on June 9, 2014. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
  10. ^ "Provo, UT (PRO)". amtrak.com. Amtrak. Retrieved August 3, 2014.
  11. ^ Pugmire, Genelle (January 31, 2013). "BYU to close Campus Drive, build walking plaza". Daily Herald. Provo, Utah: Lee Enterprises. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
  12. ^ "Campus Drive Redesign". Brigham Young University. Retrieved April 24, 2014.
  13. ^ Carter Burgess (April 2005). "Provo/Orem Rapid Transit Corridor: Alternatives Analysis" (PDF). Moutainland Association of Governments. pp. 1–8, 1–11, 5–19, 5–20, & 5-22. Retrieved August 3, 2014.
  14. ^ Pugmire, Genelle (June 3, 2014). "Provo council votes unanimously on BRT". Daily Herald. Provo, Utah: Lee Enterprises. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  15. ^ Pugmire, Genelle (February 21, 2014). "Provo BRT project draws national attention". Daily Herald. Provo, Utah: Lee Enterprises. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  16. ^ Pugmire, Genelle (February 14, 2014). "BRT: County's mayors threaten to pull $75 million over Option 4". Daily Herald. Provo, Utah: Lee Enterprises. Retrieved August 3, 2014.
  17. ^ "BRT4PROVO.com". www.brt4provo.com. Retrieved June 5, 2014.
  18. ^ "Provo-Orem Bus Rapid Transit Project Finding of No Significant Impact" (PDF). rideuta.com. Retrieved December 8, 2016.
  19. ^ Pugmire, Genelle (April 29, 2016). "Orem, Provo approve transportation lease agreement". Daily Herald. Provo, Utah: Lee Enterprises. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  20. ^ Pugmire, Genelle (April 28, 2016). "Provo, Orem residents petition for referendum on divisive lease agreement". Daily Herald. Provo, Utah: Lee Enterprises. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  21. ^ Herald, Genelle Pugmire Daily. "All invited to ride UVX route free thanks to government grant". Daily Herald. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  22. ^ "UVX Service Starts August 13". rideuta.com. Retrieved February 8, 2019.
  23. ^ "UTA Board Approves BRT Name". rideuta.com. Utah Transit Authority. March 28, 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2018.
  24. ^ "Figure 3.4-1 Land Use in the Study Area" (PDF). rideuta.com. Utah Transit Authority. April 12, 2011. pp. 3–91. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  25. ^ "Transit Projects - 2040 Metropolitan Transportation Plan" (PDF) (Map). mountainland.org. Mountainland Association of Governments. May 5, 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 13, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2014.
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