Industry News
The deadline for comments on the Little Cottonwood Canyon Final environmental impact statement (EIS) is today, Monday, October 17th. Anybody wishing to comment must do so by 11:59 pm mountain time tonight.
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The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has been working on a solution to the traffic that plagues Little Cottonwood Canyon for some time now. On August 31, they officially announced they prefer a gondola as the top choice to achieve that goal, saying the gondola meets the “need and provides the highest travel reliability for the public.”
The recommendation came after a thoughtful environmental impact study (EIS) that considered both the gondola and an enhanced bus system. Click here for the Final EIS Summary Fact Sheet.
What happens now?
There is now a 45-day public review period and a comment period from September 2 through October 17.
It could take a few years to get funding for the project, so UDOT is also recommending phasing in an enhanced bus system until the gondola is built. This would include tolling and restrictions on single-occupancy vehicles and the construction of mobility hubs. Highway widening is not part of the recommendation. They feel this will alleviate some congestion in the short term while the gondola will be the long-term solution.
Lawmakers in the state ultimately have the final say if the project will move forward. For that reason, there is still a lot of work to be done to convince the legislature that the project should become a reality.
A closer look at the two groups promoting and opposing the gondola
The gondola concept is a divisive one, with many people strongly supporting it, or defiantly against it. Two organizations on polar opposite sides have emerged in the debate for or against the gondola. They are Gondola Works and Friends of Little Cottonwood Canyon.
Gondola Works
Gondola Works is the group that supports the gondola. It was started by Snowbird Resort, which would benefit greatly from the gondola. It is funded by other local companies and ski resorts, including Alta Ski Area, which would be another benefactor. The gondola would deliver skiers and riders right to their base areas. Last year Snowbird quietly purchased the land where the potential gondola would be built. This acquisition was to ensure the land would be available. It has said it would sell the land at cost or donate it if the gondola is chosen.
Gondola Works has produced detailed illustrations and motivating commercials to prop up the gondola. The ad placement has been on TV, billboards, social media, and even direct mail. Its marketing efforts have put the project at the forefront of the public eye. You can view one of its advertisements below.
Its primary arguments for the gondola are a quiet, clean option with pristine canyon views. It will be zero-emissions, carbon neutral, have a high capacity, and be sustainable. The gondola would be able to transport riders during snowy weather conditions when the traffic is the worst, greatly increasing safety. It could also run when the road is closed due to avalanche danger. It claims cleaner air, cleaner water, and less road construction are also reasons to be in support.
Gondola Works touts that the experience of getting to the greatest snow on earth should also be great.
Friends of Little Cottonwood Canyon
On the other side are Friends of Little Cottonwood Canyon who oppose the gondola. It was started in 2021 as a nonprofit. It is funded by donors and have a political action committee (PAC) that distributes money to its preferred political candidates. Knowing that the legislature will have the final say on the project, its efforts have been focused on lobbyists and public ad campaigns.
Reasons for opposing the gondola include the immense cost that ultimately taxpayers would have to pay. It is estimated that it would cost over $500 million. Some experts believe it could cost even more. This is still projected to cost less than an alternative option of an expanded bus system, which the group also opposes.
Another argument is the gondola would be invasive and take away from the natural beauty of the area. Additionally, it would only benefit developers and two private ski resorts. You can view one of Friends of Little Cottonwood Canyon’s advertisements below.
https://youtu.be/TgIVfj8x7WE
Bottom line
This is a huge decision for lawmakers and UDOT. It affects so many people and comes at a very high cost. Let’s hope they get it right.
So great!
Make the Californians move back home. They suck.