A historic and literal earth-shattering announcement came down as the Utah Department of Transportation announced they have chosen the gondola option for Little Cottonwood Canyon’s travel EIS. UDOT was considering three different options for the canyon: the gondola, enhanced bus service with road widening, or enhanced bus service without road widening. In the end, the gondola has emerged the winner.
Why a Gondola in LCC?
So why the gondola? UDOT says it would cut travel time up the canyon on congested weekends and powder days for skiers heading up to Alta and Snowbird ski resorts.
“This is what Utah is famous for: the greatest snow on earth. We want to give people the opportunity to get up here and enjoy it, not be stuck in congestion,” UDOT spokesperson John Gleason said in a press release.
The gondola is easily the most expensive and intrusive option of the three. It will have a capacity of transporting 1,000 people per hour, with a max capacity of 35 people in each cabin. A cabin will depart every two minutes. UDOT’s plans also include building a base station with 2,500 parking spaces near the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon near La Callie.
The total capital cost of the gondola is estimated to be $550 million. At 8-miles long, it will be the longest gondola in the world.
“We know how important this study is to so many canyon users, as the amount of public participation and comments we’ve received far surpasses any previous environmental study in UDOT’s history” said project manager Josh Van Jura. “With numerous studies over many years as the starting point for addressing the transportation challenges in Little Cottonwood Canyon, we relied on the EIS process of in-depth technical analysis and environmental assessment, along with agency and public input, to identify Gondola B as the preferred alternative in the Final EIS.”
The final environmental impact study is available for review on the project website. The next phase in the EIS process, which includes a 45-day public review and comment period, runs through Oct. 17. It is unclear when construction will begin, or when the project will be completed.