SFU/Burnaby Mtn Gondola | Proposed

[mcj]

From a technical perspective this shouldn't be anymore difficult than the Peak2Peak gondola at Whistler. If I recall correctly that took about 2 years to construct?

[chowhou]

Originally Posted by mcj

From a technical perspective this shouldn't be anymore difficult than the Peak2Peak gondola at Whistler. If I recall correctly that took about 2 years to construct?

I believe from a technical perspective it should actually be much easier. They're pretty free to put towers where they need to go and as a result won't have the insane tower free span that P2P has. The Burnaby Mt Gondola will only be about half as long too, the only "harder" part is doing an ascent instead of a horizontal span but that's kind of the default for gondolas anyway.

[idunno]

I think this could take less than two years to construct. P2P was delayed obviously due to a long winter season (I recall they built the foundations for the stations first, then the rest the following year).

Very exciting to see it on the books no less!

[madog222]

Originally Posted by mcj

From a technical perspective this shouldn't be anymore difficult than the Peak2Peak gondola at Whistler. If I recall correctly that took about 2 years to construct?

Yes it should be pretty much the same as building the Peak 2 Peak, the only difference could be in the tower design if they use monolithic concrete or steel towers instead of a steel lattice.

From Wikipedia the Peak 2 Peak took 19 months start to finish with around a 6 month break for winter (maybe longer).

[jollyburger]

You assume the towers would be made out of steel?

Interesting that the Whistler gondola has radar activated lights

As well, Whistler-Blackcomb confirmed that a safety system to warn aircraft of the cables and towers is in place — one of only two Obstacle Collision and Avoidance Systems in operation in all of Canada. According to construction manager Rick Temple the system will include three radars, a light system for warning aircraft and a broadcasting system that advises pilots of the gondola cable.

“It’s a state of the art aircraft system that was developed by Norwegian Air Force pilots who fly in the mountains over there,” he said. “Usually you’d see those big orange balls hanging from cables, but they’re almost useless to pilots unless they’re on the horizon.”

When an aircraft is detected in the area, the system will broadcast a warning on all channels that there are wires in the area. If the aircraft gets closer, lights on the towers will start to flash.

According to Temple there are a lot of benefits to the system. The main one is safety, with both voice and visual warnings for pilots and a sophisticated radar system that can detect low-flying aircraft. Another benefit is aesthetic.

https://www.piquenewsmagazine.com/wh...budget-2479881

[madog222]

Originally Posted by jollyburger

You assume the towers would be made out of steel?

I changed my post to be more specific.

I'm not assuming steel lattice without more details on the project. It's definitely the cheapest but the base of the tower takes up a lot of space, that has more significance in an urban setting than on a mountain.

The Téléo in Toulouse (tricable) has monolithic steel towers.


Image from Thibaut Calatayud https://actu.fr/occitanie/toulouse_3..._46539102.html

So does the Portland Aerial Tram


https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/F...lTramTower.jpg

The Hon Thom Cable Car in Vietnam (tricable) uses concrete towers.


Image from Ha Truong https://www.expatolife.com/hon-thom-...sland-vietnam/

[officedweller]

Maybe access to the top of the tower should be from inside the tower (behind locked doors) to avoid Sea to Sky type vandalism.
A monolithic tower would allow that (I see doors in those pics above).

[idunno]

That concrete tower in Vietnam looks so bizarre - like little Inco Superstack.

[twoNeurons]

Here's hoping it's FISCAL 2026, and that Fiscal 2026 starts mid-2025.

[I'mjustsay'n]

If the project was started next year (2024), it would still be finished and with revenue traffic before the Sky-train Broadway extension got anywhere near testing, let alone commissioning.

[jollyburger]

Probably will take a long time to get everything ordered/manufactured as well.

[Migrant_Coconut]

At least it's "always two years away" now.

[madog222]

Public engagement for the business case is now open until the 19th. They included two renders of general station concepts and a virtual ride video.

Survey: https://translinklistens.ca/burnaby-mountain-gondola-3




Images from Translink

• Video Link

[Tvisforme]

Originally Posted by madog222

Public engagement for the business case is now open until the 19th. They included two renders of general station concepts and a virtual ride video.

Survey: https://translinklistens.ca/burnaby-mountain-gondola-3
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Thanks for posting that. It makes for a beautiful commute up the mountain, comparable to how nice it is to take the SeaBus across the harbour.

[Vancouver_Highrise]

Originally Posted by officedweller

Maybe access to the top of the tower should be from inside the tower (behind locked doors) to avoid Sea to Sky type vandalism.
A monolithic tower would allow that (I see doors in those pics above).

The towers are going to be boring. Think of peak 2 peak towers on a larger scale.

[Vancouver_Highrise]

Originally Posted by Migrant_Coconut

At least it's "always two years away" now.

Haha I wouldn’t doubt this will be ongoing for the next 10 years.

[cairnstone]

Originally Posted by Vancouver_Highrise

Haha I wouldn’t doubt this will be ongoing for the next 10 years.

I think we are at something like 5 years currently.

[WBC]

Ripley : How many SFU Gondola rides is this for you, Lieutenant?
Lieutenant Gorman : Thirty eight... simulated.

[Vancouver_Highrise]

Originally Posted by cairnstone

I think we are at something like 5 years currently.

I’m curious how inflated that budget will get/realistic it is

[djmk]

cool video

Seems like a tight space and a long ride if you were ever trapped alone with another weirdo passenger...