UDOT’S RECORD OF DECISION SELECTS GONDOLA ALTERNATIVE B.
Read the Little Cottonwood Canyon EIS Record of Decision >
On Wednesday, July 12, 2023, the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) released the Record of Decision for the Little Cottonwood Canyon EIS in which Gondola Alternative B, coupled with the phased implementation of components from the Enhanced Bus Service alternative, was selected to address the public safety and transportation issues in Little Cottonwood Canyon.
The historic snowfall totals, myriad road closures, unprecedented avalanche activity and the associated traffic issues of the 2022–23 ski season underscore the need for transportation improvements in Little Cottonwood Canyon that minimize the impact of weather—the primary cause of traffic congestion and delays.
Alta Ski Area supports UDOT’s decision and phased approach to addressing the transportation issue in Little Cottonwood Canyon and encourages all parties to stay engaged in fine-tuning the design, development and implementation of the phased approach.
The phased approach will allow some transportation improvements to occur in the next few years while longer-term solutions are refined and funded. Alta Ski Area will continue to work closely with UDOT to improve the safety, reliability, and mobility of transportation in the canyon in less grandiose ways such as:
- Implementing a winter-long traction law
- Minimizing canyon closure times
- Improving the traffic merge for Alta and Snowbird skiers and keeping the mainline open
- Using reservation systems which are more effective than tolling systems to manage traffic volume in the canyon and incentivize the use of public transportation.
While the public comment period has closed, we invite you to stay engaged as we promote these adjustments during the phased approach by UDOT.
Thank you for your passion and support of Alta and Little Cottonwood Canyon. It is truly the crown jewel of the Wasatch and worth experiencing, sharing, and preserving.
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