Post by gondola-project

• In “Cable Cars Over Jerusalem? Some See ‘Disneyfication’ of Holy City,” The New York Times takes an in depth look at the motivations, interests and objections of those both supporting and opposing a plan to build a cable car to the holiest site in the Jewish world, the Western Wall.  Recently approved by the Israeli government, the conflict in ideas extends far beyond the typical pros and cons over environmental benefits/harm, aesthesis, preservation, and tourist impacts, as the gondola passes over Palestine. Quoting the article, “The cable-car project is an example, illustrating how Israel wields architecture and urban planning to extend its authority in the occupied territories.” 

• There is optimism the Sea to Sky gondola system will reopen Spring of 2020. The system’s cable was deliberately cut last month, completely disabling it when nearly all 30 cars fell to the ground. There are still no publicly identified suspects. Crews have been busy removing the damaged cabins and stabilizing the rope. New cabins are being manufactured and should arrive in late 2019 or early 2020.

• Safety tests and practice rescues were the focus for a couple gondola systems this week. The Disney Skyline, located in Orlando, Florida USA, tested emergency stops and related announcements ahead of their opening of the new system on September 29. Across the country in Spokane, Washington, firefighters learned how to perform gondola rescues on the SkyRide which travels over the Spokane Falls. The system was originally built for the first environmental-themed World’s Fair in 1974.

• A new 8-seater gondola and two new chairlifts will go into service this winter at Les 2 Alpes, a resort in the southern French Alps. The Pierre Grosse gondola makes a 954-meter vertical climb and can carry 2,400 people per hour. The resort averages 10,000 skiers per day.

• The Mexico City metro system celebrated 50 years of operations this week. What does the future hold for the system? The government of Mexico City says it will prioritize maintenance investments over further expansion. Improvements are also expected to also increase capacity with reduced travel times and more frequent service.