- Initial excavation work for the Queenstown gondola redevelopment in New Zealand has begun. The proposed project includes replacing the four-seat gondolas for 10-seat gondolas, a new lower terminal, multi-story parking garage, increased capacity in an existing restaurant, a new café, and more. The new gondola equipment is supplied by Doppelmayr. The tender is expected to go out in the first quarter of 2021. See a related Weekly Roundup here.
- The cable for the Sea to Sky Gondola is on its way to Squamish, Canada. Due to the vandalism in the fall, the haul rope and some cabins had to be replaced. The company that built the haul rope, Fatzer Brugg, posted on social media how they produced a replacement rope in record time. The rope is 4.75 km long and weighs 53,697 kg. See a related Weekly Roundup here.
- “The Wave” gondola system proposed in Long Beach, California is expected to start a feasibility study soon with results as early as the end of 2021. The proposed gondola will connect downtown to the Queen Mary floating hotel and attraction, as well as other surrounding hotels. Potential station locations have been defined, but the feasibility study is required before finalizing locations. The project is planned to be privately financed and is projected to cost between $80 million and $100 million.
- A West Seattle group is proposing an urban gondola they’re calling SkyLink as an alternative to light rail in Washington State. The gondola could be operational by 2023 or 2024, versus the light rail’s extension to West Seattle which is targeted for 2031. With the West Seattle Bridge being out of commission due to damage, and the increase in population in the area, this group is requesting the regional transit authority, Sound Transit, consider the gondola. Gondolas have lower capacities and travel slower than the light rail, but the short wait times can reduce people’s travel time.