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Gondola system proposed as light rail alternative in West Seattle deemed 'not feasible'

https://www.king5.com/article/news/l...c-36f207a8c8b5

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- Sound Transit said a proposed gondola system from West Seattle to SoDo "would not be feasible" Thursday after it was proposed as an alternative to the light rail expansion. A local group, West Seattle SkyLink, proposed the gondola system as an alternative for light rail expansion, citing lesser costs and a quicker timeline for completion. --- In the report, Sound Transit said an aerial gondola system had significant technical limitations including compatibility with the existing light rail system, a lack of expandability and funding. --- "First, they would not integrate with the existing and expanding regional high capacity transit system as well as light rail, would not directly serve as many regional destinations and could be difficult to expand beyond West Seattle," said Matt Sheldon, deputy executive director for planning and integration. --- Sound Transit said a gondola system simply lacks the capacity to serve projected ridership, surge events, or future regional demand, citing its already approved Regional Transit Long Range Plan. “They operate on a local circulation level, lack regional applications," the report said.

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Light rail plans (red) vs SkyLink (core route: teal - future options: light blue)