This fall is your final probability to experience the long-lasting Cannon Mountain Aerial Tram in its present kind. The state-owned New Hampshire mountain introduced this morning the conclusion of public operations with planning underway for a brand new system to be constructed within the coming years. The present tram opened in 1980, making it 45 years previous with greater than 9 million passengers carried. It was constructed by Italian producer Agudio and changed an American Metal & Wire tram that served the summit from 1938 to 1981. “She’s aged gracefully, however like all legends, she deserves a dignified retirement,” mentioned Jace Wirth, Normal Supervisor of Cannon Mountain and Franconia Notch State Park. “It’s time to start writing the following chapter.”
Planning is underway for a third-generation tram however there’s no set timeline for reopening. In 2022, the state thought-about constructing a less expensive gondola, however public suggestions revealed a robust want to proceed Cannon’s tram legacy. The next yr, the state put out an RFP for modernization of the present tram with a projected finances of $18 million. Leitner-Poma was the one bidder and got here in $11 million over that quantity. The undertaking was placed on maintain whereas state leaders sought extra funding.
Cannon’s unique American Metal & Wire tram carried 27 riders per automobile, the present “ketchup and mustard” automobiles maintain as much as 80 and the following model might carry much more. “With $27.2 million secured by New Hampshire Home Invoice 25, together with extra capital assets anticipated, a structural evaluation—pending Governor and Government Council approval—will quickly start to verify the renovation technique for present towers, terminals, and foundations,” Cannon wrote at the moment. “This evaluation may also assist refine design necessities and cargo concerns for the next-generation tram system.” Whereas $27 million is a good begin, it’s nowhere close to sufficient to construct a totally new system at present costs. Skiers and sightseers will seemingly be and not using a base-to-summit elevate for various years whereas the brand new tram is designed and constructed. Within the meantime, the summit can nonetheless be accessed by a sequence of chairlifts within the winter.
A particular date for the tram’s last laps shall be introduced within the coming weeks.
