Alta Council requests UDOT to rethink gondola plan, advocates for alternative solutions

The proposed gondola route in Little Cottonwood Canyon from UDOT's environmental impact study. Photo: UDOT, Earthstar Geographics powered by ESRI

ALTA, Utah — On Wednesday, the Alta Town Council called upon the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) to halt its current contemplation of an 8-mile gondola system intended for Little Cottonwood Canyon. This appeal follows UDOT’s July authorization of the project, which has since become the center of legal battles, including three lawsuits.

The council’s resolution voiced concerns over UDOT’s environmental impact evaluation of the gondola project, mirroring issues raised in the ongoing lawsuits. Alta officials are pressing for a more exhaustive and transparent assessment, suggesting a third-party agency undertake this review to bolster public confidence in the findings.

Alta Mayor Roger Bourke emphasized the town’s appreciation for UDOT’s ongoing efforts but stressed the need for alternative traffic solutions. He told the Salt Lake Tribune, “We are eternally grateful for UDOT for keeping ourselves safe, keeping our roads open… this kind of declares UDOT best friend forever, in the first part.” Bourke further highlighted the flexibility and necessity of exploring options beyond the proposed gondola, suggesting that other measures could significantly improve traffic flow without the inflexibility and cost associated with gondola construction.

Despite opposition to the gondola, the resolution supports early-phase improvements by UDOT, including enhanced bus services, tolling, and upgrades to Wasatch Boulevard. The council sees these steps as vital short-term solutions and urges UDOT to provide data justifying the gondola’s necessity in the future.

UDOT spokesperson John Gleason affirmed the gondola’s low environmental impact and its potential to alleviate traffic effectively.

The council also recommended allocating remaining recreational hotspot funds—initially earmarked for both Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons—to explore and implement alternative solutions not included in the current plan.