On Wednesday, August 31, the Utah Department of Transportation announced the construction of an 8 mile long gondola up Little Cottonwood Canyon. 

The project is NOT yet set in stone, as there is a 45 day public comment period starting September 2 and ending October 17. After that a decision will be made whether or not to build the gondola. 

UDOTS main concern is the traffic up the canyon; however, most of the time the canyon isn’t backed up! Only on really crowded days in the winter, in the mornings and afternoons does it get really crowded because of avalanche control and road conditions, both of which are normal where we live and necessary to keep everyone safe. 

The toll this will take on the environment is a huge concern. The construction will worsen avalanches and landslides, it will deplete soil and result in habitat loss for our animals. There will be 22 towers that are 200 feet tall throughout the canyon, which will take away so much of the canyon’s natural beauty. 

The gondola will cost 550 million dollars to build. With that money we could find other solutions, such as more buses that are emission friendly, charging tolls to go up the canyon if the traffic situation worsens, widening the road, etc. It will take years to build and canyon access will not be readily available if it is built. Residential areas will also suffer as there will be more traffic because of the Gondola. 

This whole plan is unnecessary, and if people are worried about traffic there are so many other ways to solve that. Drive up the canyon early in the morning during ski/snowboarding season to beat the crowds! Carpool! Take the bus!

  Little Cottonwood Canyon is loved by many, it is our home and we must protect it. Please sign this petition, share it to your friends, family, peers, whoever you can! This petition will be shared to legislature to stop the construction of this!