Jackson Hole announced their plans to construct a new tram to replace the old one that has been decomissened and will stop serviec on October 1st 2006. The new tram will have a 100 person capacity and a price tag of $25 million. They have contracted with Doppelmayr/CTEC to construct the new tram, with an estemated opening of December 2008 pending forest service approval.

“The enormity of this project was obvious from the beginning. When we identified the need to decommission the existing tram we immediately began researching what could replace such a lift,” continued Blann. “We studied many options and reduced them to a Tram or Bi-Cable Gondola. We all agreed the iconic nature of our “red box” was something to be treasured but we kept options open until the final and most recent decision. Ultimately the final analysis was financial. We are a small, family owned company with finite resources. This new tram will cost an estimated $25 million and so far we have had to plan on funding the entire project privately. In conjunction with the $14 million already committed to capital improvements this summer there will be a strain felt on our company resources, but we are steadfast in this decision thanks to the commitment from our owners. On our 40th Anniversary the company has reached a pinnacle of investment,” stated Blann.

(Tram Rendering)

http://www.jacksonhole.com/info/pr.tram.asp