ville-marie Gondola from McGill University to the peak of Mont Royal proposed

[IluvMTL]

http://dailyhive.com/montreal/montreal-mcgill-university-mont-royal-gondola

Gondola from McGill University to the peak of Mont Royal proposed

Kenneth Chan

Apr 01, 2018 6:00 am

 

 

 

The Mont Royal gondola could be similar to the Oakland Zoo's new gondola system. (Shutterstock)

Could there be an aerial gondola transit line between McGill University in downtown Montreal to the top of Mont Royal?

Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ), the largest pension fund manager in the province, is proposing to build a gondola that could provide the city with a new tourist attraction that whisks people to Montreal’s famed mountain from the city centre in less than three minutes in each direction.

The gondola line would start at the northwest corner of the intersection of McTavish Street and Doctor Penfield Avenue – just across the street from the Leacock Building of the McGill University campus. The site is just next to McTavish Reservoir.

The platform for the terminal station at the city centre will be about eight storeys above ground, which will allow the gondolas to immediately soar above the university’s Education Building and the Occupational Health Sciences buildings. Passengers will access the terminal’s platform by elevators or a series of escalators.

As for the terminus station atop the mountain, it will be located next to the large green space next to Mont Royal Cottage.

Proposed route of the aerial gondola from McGill University to the top of Mont Royal. (CDPQ)

Approximately 110 trees will have to be cut down to allow for the construction of the gondola towers, cable lines, and mountaintop terminal.

The entire route is less than 600 metres long, and there will be a dozen 20-passenger capacity cabins to provide the gondola line with a capacity of up to 1,500 passengers per hour per direction.

CDPQ will fund the projected $23-million construction cost and operate the system when it opens in fall 2020.

“We believe CDPQ’s latest investment on transportation infrastructure will only contribute to the heritage of Mont Royal by allowing more people to enjoy this wonderful landmark park in our city,” said Macky Tall, president of CDPQ Infrastructure, which is, of course, also behind the $6.3-billion REM Montreal-area commuter train.

Montreal mayor Valérie Plante, who supports the project in principle, says CDPQ’s proposal could greatly reduce car use to Mont Royal and increase the park’s accessibility.

“There have been many ideas for Mont Royal over the years, and I have to say this one just makes sense. But we shall see, more work needs to be done to ensure it does not affect the park experience or any historical monuments or unmarked graves,” said Plante, translated from French. “We hope it will supplement existing transit bus service, but more negotiations need to happen.”

Over five million people visit Mont Royal every year.

Happy April Fools’ Day

See also

• Montreal's $6.3B light-rail system will begin construction in April 2018 (PHOTOS)

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Kenneth Chan

National Features Editor at Daily Hive, the evolution of Vancity Buzz. He covers local architecture, urban issues, politics, business, retail, economic development, transportation and infrastructure, and the travel industry. Kenneth is also a Co-Founder of New Year's Eve Vancouver. Connect with him at kenneth[at]dailyhive.com

 

Edited April 2, 2018 by nephersir7
Happy April Fools’ Day!

[cprail]

Des membres du groupe Gonedola, soutenu par le SCFP, étaient d'ailleurs au conseil de ville l'autre jour pour demander qu'on remplace le projet par près de 90 kilomètres de Trottibus...

[IluvMTL]

With the Caisse de Depot behind this project, I guess the funicular is off the table.

[Ousb]

il y a 2 minutes, IluvMTL a dit :

With the Caisse de Depot behind this project, I guess the funicular is off the table.

pourquoi ?

[Rocco]

Poisson d'avril. 

[fmfranck]

EDIT : Crisse. Je me suis fait avoir. Je vérifie habituellement la source pourtant.

 Soupir. Comment PM peut-il être pour ce projet?

- Venir défigurer la façade sud du Mont-Royal.

- La privatisation du déplacement vers la montagne. Sûrement avec des prix élevés pour l'utilisation.

Vraiment? Tout ça pour donner la priorité à quelques cyclistes de haut niveau sur la voie Camillien-Houde? Misère.

Edited April 1, 2018 by fmfranck

[Gabmtl]

Ça ressemble à un Poisson d'avril

[nephersir7]

Un autre projet pour entasser les Montréalais comme des sardines

[IluvMTL]

Actually a funicular could better integrate into the new REM super station which will be built under McGill Avenue.  You could transfer directly to this line without stepping outside. The first part of the trip could pass below the McGill Campus.

[fmfranck]

 

il y a 2 minutes, IluvMTL a dit :

Actually a funicular could better integrate into the new REM super station which will be built under McGill Avenue.  You could transfer directly to this line without stepping outside. The first part of the trip could pass below the McGill Campus.

It makes sense in principle. But the Mcgill station will be at the corner of Maisonneuve-ish. Quite far from Dr Penfield, and a steep walk as well. You would have to produce some sort of major parking in the area because most would get there by car.

Edited April 1, 2018 by fmfranck