Utica Considers Building Gondola Lift From Downtown to Harbor Point And 4 More Alternate Modes of Utica Transportation
Could gondola lifts one day transport people through the skies of Utica from downtown north a quarter-mile to the Harbor Point area? The Utica Observer-Dispatch reported on Common Council member has floated the idea.
This would not be the city's first foray into obscure ski lodge inspired transportation. After all, the city owns a ski lift at the Val Bialas Sports Center.
Here are 4 more crazy forms of transportation the city could experiment with.
The Other Kind of Gondola
For a city that prides itself on its Italian heritage, this is a no-brainer. Bring in Venice-style gondolas to ply the Erie Canal from the Utica Marina to the Utica Marsh landing at the end of old Barnes Ave to Harbor Point.
I can hear the gondoliers now, O Sole Mio
Marco Secchi/Getty ImagesMarco Secchi/Getty Images A Monorail
Yes, of course, the Simpsons did it first. A monorail could carry Uticans high above the un-synced traffic lights of Genesee Street.
Brendon Thorne/Getty ImagesBrendon Thorne/Getty Images An Incline
Today I learned that these things are actually called Funiculars. Pittsburgh has one. So does Johnstown, PA. Why not Utica? I could see an incline being very useful for WKTV and WUTR employees who have to battle driving up Smith Hill in winter trying to get to work.
David McNew/Houlton Archive/Getty ImagesDavid McNew/Houlton Archive/Getty Images A Hovercraft
The only problem with all of these transportation ideas for Utica? They lack speed. How about a hovercraft tearing up the wake in the Utica Harbor?
Dan Callister/Houlton Archive/Getty ImagesDan Callister/Houlton Archive/Getty Images
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