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Activism opposing the gondola for Little Cottonwood Canyon

Little Cottonwood Canyon. Photo by Salil Bhatt.

In the weeks leading up to the close of the public comment period for the proposed gondola in Little Cottonwood Canyon, we’ve seen an inspiring outcry of opposition to the plan. One recent display of activism comes from Cottonwood Heights resident, Elizabeth Eve King, in the form of a letter to the editor, published in the Salt Lake Tribune.

King lists seven major concerns with the Utah Department of Transportation’s (UDOT) gondola “solution” to the traffic in Little Cottonwood Canyon:

  1. 40 poles, each 15 feet in diameter, serviced by new roads big enough  for huge trucks, will cut through the wilderness of Little Cottonwood Canyon.
  1. The exact price has not been revealed by UDOT but it will be expensive to ride the gondola. (Between $50- $110 per trip)
  1. It only services two sites.
  1. It won’t run in the summer.
  1. It’s paid for by taxpayers but only benefits Snowbird, Alta, La Callie, The Tree Farm, and Chris McCandless and Wayne Niederhauser.
  1. It’s taken from transportation money meant for the entire state of Utah
  1. There’s new evidence (from Hawkwatch International) that  the gondola would kill and injure birds during night migrations through the canyon.

Traffic is a real issue, especially in the winter, up Little Cottonwood Canyon. The canyon is a local treasure, enjoyed frequently by residents and tourists alike. UPHE is the first to advocate for clean alternative sources of transportation to help reduce local emissions. Destroying the canyon, creating inequitable transportation, and potentially damaging precious water resources is not what we would call clean or green. There are alternatives to private vehicle travel currently available that could be incentivized, such as the bus. 

We echo King’s criticism of the flawed plan, and encourage the public to continue speaking out and educating other residents on the truth behind the proposed gondola. 

Read the full letter in the Tribune here.

There are still a few more days to send comments on the proposal to UDOT.