At Issue
“One of the proposed major capital projects (included as part of Group 3 in Chapter 5 and identified as one alternative of a future Regional Connection) in the Integrated Transportation Plan is a new north connection across the Snake River connecting Teton Village with US 26. One type of north connection that has been studied in the past is a new north bridge and corridor along Sagebrush Drive.”
—From Appendix H of the 2015 Integrated Transportation Plan
The corridor would pass through a rural area of large-lot, single-family homes and undeveloped land, where further low density residential development is anticipated in the future.
RGC Point of View
RGC is opposed to building a new North Bridge and associated roadways between Teton Village and US 26. The main purpose of the North Bridge would be to shorten the time and distance between the Jackson Hole Airport and Teton Village during the tourist seasons. The major beneficiaries of this new route would be tourists, the JH Mountain Resort, and owners of commercial enterprises in Teton Village. The route would cross highly sensitive wildlife habitat and migration corridors. It would also require acquisition of private property, an expensive undertaking that would be funded by the public.
Instead, we should be considering a NORTH GONDOLA which transports visitors from the airport directly to Teton Village without the hassles of regular ground transportation or car rental. And, with little impact to wildlife or private property, it’s a win-win for both visitors and landowners. Partnerships with airlines could make this a seamless process by having baggage tagged so that it is delivered directly to Teton Village – or even to their hotel.
Salt Lake City, Utah is considering a gondola up Little Cottonwood Canyon from the valley to Snowbird and Alta ski resorts. The Utah Department of Transportation is backing a gondola option to solve Little Cottonwood Canyon’s transportation and congestion problems. Shouldn’t Teton County be investigating its own innovative solutions to moving people around Jackson Hole?