Los Angeles, California — We’re about to drop an absolute bombshell to start this article: Los Angeles has a traffic problem. We know that this is a shocking development. For Dodgers games in particular, most travel via car, and an underwhelming transit system does not help. It leads to scenes like this:

In lieu of the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees facing off in the World Series (Go Sox), it seems like an appropriate time to detail a planned gondola that would connect LA’s Union Station to Dodger Stadium, possibly reducing traffic from one of the city’s most congested spots during games.

In 2018, Frank McCourt (the former owner of the Los Angeles Dodgers) announced a plan for a gondola connecting Union Station to Dodger Stadium. According to the final environmental impact report published in December 2023, the gondola could cost $385- $500 million. In addition, it’s predicted to cost $8-10 million a year to operate, which would be paid for by project revenues. According to the developers, they plan to pay for the gondola, but it’s unclear whether taxpayers would pay a portion of the bill.

Los Angeles Rapid Aerial Transit (LA ART) would feature three stations: Almeda Station (nearby Union Station), Chinatown/State Park, and Dodger Stadium. Each cabin would be able to fit 30-40 people. With a length of 1.2 miles, the ride time from Almeda Station to Dodger Stadium would only be seven minutes. The environmental impact could be huge, with the possibility of 3000 cars being off the roads leading up to Dodger Stadium during game days. Those who have Dodgers tickets would be able to get a free ride to the ballgame.

As is the tradition with significant transit projects, there are opponents to these plans. The leading opposition group behind the project is Stop The Gondola. Some of their concerns include the possibility that taxpayers would foot the bill for the project, it wouldn’t do much to lower carbon emissions, the towers and cabins would create an eyesore for residents and businesses, and the new lift would result in the gentrification of Chinatown. They accuse McCourt (part-owner of the land around Dodger Stadium) of wanting to develop the parking lots around Dodger Stadium, which was a consideration of his back when he owned the Dodgers. Rather than a gondola, they want to see more zero-emissions public transit bus shuttles.

The Metro Board approved the project in February. If they get the remaining approvals from the city and state, the gondola could open in 2028. The main question would be whether it would be ready for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. According to the Daily Journal, Stop The Gondola believes it won’t open in 2028.

Image/Video Credits: Los Angeles Aerial Rapid Transit, FOX 11, Stop The Gondola

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