Gondola Approved for Utah Canyon to Improve Ski Traffic
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Jessica Peterson
Phase 1 of the implementation is set to take place by the fall of 2025
Utah’s Department of Transportation (UDOT) announced today that they’ve approved a gondola as the solution to relieve the traffic that occurs in Little Cottonwood Canyon (LCC), specifically during ski season. While UDOT’s Record of Decision on the matter is yes, Utah’s Legislature will still need to approve project funding and pushback like lawsuits from environmental groups are likely.
Videos and social media posts were released by UDOT to further explain their thought process behind the decision. UDOT Trails & Transit Group Director and Project Manager of the LCC Environmental Impact Statement, Josh Van Jura, said in the first of two videos that if no changes were to be implemented, projected travel time for S.R. 210 in 2050 would be 80-85 minutes, roughly four times longer than the current free-flow travel times.
Phase 1: Prior to the gondola’s implementation, changes to the route like tolling, increased bus services and a new mobility hub are set to be in place by the fall of 2025.
Phase 2: The second phase will include constructing snow sheds above avalanche routes and improvements to trailhead parking.
Phase 3: The third and final phase will be the gondola’s construction and new parking structure next to La Caille restaurant.
What do the LCC gondola plans mean for skiers at Snowbird and Alta Resorts?
These plans will put a long-term solution towards high amounts of traffic in LCC during the weekends throughout the ski season and powder days during the week. While the installation of the gondola is years away, the planned project phases will help to improve travel times for skiers going to and from their favorite mountains and through the canyon.
The plans for the gondola include a route that’s eight miles long. If constructed, skiers could be riding the longest gondola in the world to access the slopes.
More details about UDOT’s Record of Decision can be found below in their social media post and announcement videos.
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