Georgetown-Rosslyn Gondola Declared 'Feasible'

GEORGETOWN, DC — A consulting team has declared that a gondola spanning the Potomac River between Georgetown and Rosslyn would be "feasible," a major step forward for the ambitious project.

The Georgetown-Rosslyn Gondola Feasibility Study was released to the public on Thursday at GeorgetownRosslynGondola.com. The study was led by ZGF Architects and lasted five months, identifying the various demand, financial, regulatory, design and real estate considerations involved in installing an aerial gondola lift that would connect the Rosslyn neighborhood of Arlington to Washington, D.C.'s Georgetown neighborhood.

A public information meeting will be held Thursday evening from 6 until 7:30 p.m. at the Georgetown Theater on Wisconsin Avenue in D.C.

“The charge for this study was not to sell the idea of a gondola, rather it was to evaluate if a gondola is technically feasible, from a multi-disciplinary approach, and to conceptually define the feasibility parameters.” Otto Condon, Principal, ZGF Architects, said in a statement. ”With our finding that a gondola is feasible, the decision to move forward is a discussion for both sides of the Potomac to have, both individually and collaboratively.”

The key findings of the study are below:

• System can operate seamlessly with Metro system, using same fare media and rates, and allowing cost-free direct transfers.
• A projected minimum average daily ridership of 6,500 people (primarily workers and residents) and a capacity of 2,400 people per hour per direction.A four minute ride door-to-door with 8-12 people cabins arriving every 20-60 seconds.
• Multiple feasible alignments, with the most favorable station locations along N. Lynn Street in Rosslyn and around the Exxon Gas Station on M Street in Georgetown.
• Significant potential economic benefits on both sides of the river.
• The potential to reduce as many as 100,000 bus trips per year across the Key Bridge
• Estimated $80-90 million in capital costs assuming high-quality design to enhance the public realm.
• $3.25 million in annual operating costs assuming operation 365 days a year.
• Relatively high operating cost recovery from fares.

Image via GeorgetownRosslynGondola.com