We’ve got some breaking news from the Beehive State. The Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) has chosen a gondola to help relieve Little Cottonwood Canyon’s traffic woes.
Utah’s Legislature will still need to approve the funding for this project, and lawsuits from environmental groups are likely.
Before then, changes like tolling, increased bus services, and a new mobility hub will be implemented by late 2025. Phase two would add snow sheds above common avalanche routes, and allow for trailhead parking improvements. The third phase would be the construction of the gondola and the new parking structure next to La Caille restaurant. When the gondola is completed, UTA will eliminate its bus services into Little Cottonwood Canyon.
An interesting note from this announcement is the updated price tag. Originally, the price of the gondola was listed at $550 million. Due to various factors, this price tag is now listed as $729 million, which doesn’t include millions in yearly operating costs.
More details from UDOT’s Record of Decision are below.
Image/Video Credits: Gondola Works, UDOT