- The draft environmental impact review (EIR) for the Los Angeles Aerial Rapid Transit (LA ART) has been released. The LA ART is a proposed 1.2-mile 3S system connecting Dodger Stadium with Union Station. The project is estimated to cost $125-million and could be operational by 2026. Construction is estimated to take 25 months to complete. The fare will match the Metro fare, but to ease congestion during games the fare is free with a ticket to a Dodger game. See a previous Weekly Roundup here. SCJ Alliance is part of this project.
- The Utah Department of Transportation’s (UDOT) final public comment period for the Little Cottonwood Canyon gondola project has closed. UDOT is sorting through thousands of comments, but a rough poll of 801 residents suggests 43% approve of UDOT’s decision that the gondola is the best transit alternative meanwhile 32% disapprove. The alternatives were the gondola and an enhanced bus system, both of which are controversial and cost over $500 million. The gondola is designed to carry 35 people up the canyon every 2 minutes. See a related Weekly Roundup here.
- Eaglecrest Ski Area’s new gondola has arrived in Juneau. The $2.5 million project includes the purchase of the used pulsed gondola, transportation of the equipment, and initial design. Design work is currently on track, with the design accommodating 4 groups of 3 cabins each. The major modification between the original system from Austria and the new design is a mid-station. A request for proposals (RFP) for the construction is expected to be posted in January. See a previous Weekly Roundup here. SCJ Alliance is part of this project.
- The iconic funicular in Hong Kong reopens after a complete overhaul. The rebuild started at the end of 2018. The original system opened in 1888 becoming one of the most popular tourist attractions in the area. The capacity of the new funicular increased by 75% with the cabin capacity going from 120 to 210 passengers. The overhaul included everything from the track foundations to the modernization of the stations to an entire upgrade of the ropeway technology.