SALT LAKE CITY– The Salt Lake County Council passed a resolution opposing a gondola in Little Cottonwood Canyon on Tuesday. Last month, the Utah Department of Transportation recommended the gondola as a means to help ski traffic congestion.

After a heated public comment period and a lengthy debate, the resolution passed with a 5-4 vote. Opponents of the gondola argued that the Utah Department of Transportation’s yearlong study didn’t consider alternate transportation modes in Little Cottonwood Canyon.

The price tag was a major sticking point. Additionally, the gondola would only stop at two ski resorts, Snowbird and Alta. The Council also argued that it  “would remove only 30% of vehicular traffic” from the road.

The council argued rather than spend over half a billion dollars on the longest gondola in the world, they should consider smaller, less invasive alternatives first.

Though this vote has little sway over what will ultimately happen, council members advised UDOT to take note of the concerns of the people. 

Sandy City Mayor, Monica Zoltanski, said her city’s residents oppose the gondola. Zoltanski noted that the city surveyed Sandy residents on the matter and only 23% were in favor. 

The council meeting is available in its entirety  through the Salt Lake County Council Facebook page. 

Related:

• Utah lawmakers react to Little Cottonwood Canyon gondola announcement
• Little Cottonwood Canyon’s proposed gondola would be different from ski gondolas
• Gondola is the top choice for Little Cottonwood Canyon traffic fix