Wasatch Front Regional Council Meeting & UDOT's LCC gondola proposal in long term planning

On January 26th, the Wasatch Front Regional Council voted to include UDOT’s gondola proposal in the 2023-2050 Regional Transportation Plan (RTP). The public had the opportunity to comment on this decision before February 26th, 2023. The Council will meet again to decide if the gondola will be included in the RTP, potentially in May. It is still unknown how the Council will include the public input in their decision making process.

The Regional Transportation Plan (and UDOT’s LCC gondola proposal) is not on the agenda for this Thursday's meeting on March 23rd. It will next be considered at the Council’s May meeting. 

The council welcomes public participation. However, the capacity of their office is limited pursuant to fire and public safety guidelines. If they reach capacity, they may not be able to accommodate all members of the public in person. They do provide an online option, which enables attendees to see and hear all the dialogue. 

Here is the link to the Zoom option:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88236034159?pwd=QkFJRXlxS1pTcXBGVTA4eUdqYktadz09

Passcode: 723428

Or One tap mobile :

US: +17193594580,,88236034159#,,,,*723428# or +12532050468,,88236034159#,,,,*723428#

WHEN: March 23rd 2-4 PM

WHERE: Wasatch Front Regional Council Meeting (41 North Rio Grande Street; Salt Lake City, UT 84101)

Traffic mitigation strategies such as regional electric buses, micro transit shuttle services, transit hubs, enforcing traction law, car pooling, reservation systems, and tolling that also address the needs of dispersed recreation are solutions that do not require permanent landscape changes. We applaud the Council for supporting these efforts.

The SLCA continues to request that the Council remove the gondola proposal from the RTP.

Check out the list of Council members and how they voted regarding the gondola here and consider reaching out to share your concerns about the impacts of the gondola. 

Hundreds show up to the Wasatch Front Regional Council meeting on Thursday, January 26th to speak up and help save Little Cottonwood Canyon from the gondola. “This is the only time and this is the only place I’m ever going to get to vote on a gondola,” the Salt Lake City mayor said. “... I know that you have to approve a regional transportation plan. I know there’s a lot of good stuff in it. But I can’t vote yes on that. I can’t, because this gondola shouldn’t happen.” Click the link below to read the full article.

Public comments express how a gondola would be a mistake; one that would be irreversible for Utah’s environment.

Residents continue to protest Little Cottonwood Canyon gondola. Watch the video below.


Julia Geisler