The Debate Over the

Little Cottonwood Canyon Gondola

The Latest on the Gondola 

December 5, 2023: A number of groups file a federal lawsuit against UDOT over the Gondola

The Issues

little cottonwood canyon traffic jams all year
Little Cottonwood Canyon's meager two-lane highway is congested all-year. It only takes one car to block thousands from exiting the canyon.
Little Cottonwood Canyon road closures and avalanches.
Avalanches and road closures frustrate locals, resort workers, and visitors, not to mention, they present dangerous travelling conditions in the winter.
little cottonwood canyon gondola construction
The proposed 8-mile gondola will require construction of 22 giant towers with need of surrounding utility roads and other small structures which will significantly impact wildlife.
state of utah taxpayers
The proposed Gondola total cost is estimated by UDOT to be $550 million (groups against the Gondola dispute this figure) and the plan benefits a select group of Utahns and tourists.

For the Gondola

Who is for the Gondola?: Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), Snowbird, Alta Ski Area, POWDR, Ski Utah, UCAIR, Utah Clean Cities, Love Communications, Exoro Group, CW Management

Against the Gondola

Who is against the Gondola?: Wasatch Backcountry Alliance, Save our Canyons, Haven, Black Diamond, Patagonia SLC

Summary of Arguments: 

  • UDOT’s study and plan proposes a Gondola that is carbon neutral and silent, impacting air quality and noise pollution less than the cars it would replace. See UDOT’s Environmental Impact Statement.
  • Gondola is the only solution on the table that solves road closures and mitigates avalanche danger.
  • Utah Taxpayer Association supports the Gondola as the “most taxpayer-friendly solution.”
  • Gondola ensures car parking expands at the bottom of the canyon (by about 2500 parking spots) rather than within the canyon.
  • Widening the road to the size required to support current traffic would impact 50 acres of wilderness compared to the Gondola’s 20 acres. Road widening would not solve issues with winter road closures or avalanche safety.
  • The solution (known as “Gondola Option B” is not limited to a Gondola but is a multi-phased approach that includes some road widening, expanding trailhead parking for non-resort users, enhancing bus service and implementing toll roads in the canyon.

 

Summary of Arguments: 

  • Building the largest Gondola in the World will just attract more people to Little Cottonwood Canyon, attention the canyon doesn’t need.
  • The Gondola may ease traffic problems up the canyon, but will increase congestion in neighboring towns at the mouth of the canyon.
  • UDOT is asking taxpayers to foot the bill for an expensive gondola that serves private business, their workers, and their patrons.
  • Construction impact is being downplayed by UDOT and there will be permanent damage to the fragile watershed that supplies Salt Lake with much of its water.
  • Note: at the time of posting this information online, we are not aware of official research done to support these claims and we invite those that oppose the Gondola to submit supporting evidence.

Quick Reads on the

Little Cottonwood Canyon Gondola

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