Gondolas Proposed for Boston's Seaport District

Boston's Seaport District has grown rapidly, and traffic is an ongoing concern. Developers have proposed an interesting solution: aerial trams.

1 minute read

March 6, 2018, 7:00 AM PST

By Philip Rojc @PhilipRojc


Maokong Sky Gondola

Prince Roy / Flickr

Gondola proposals have been floated in a number of cities recently, including Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles. Here's one more. To ease the booming district's traffic, Jon Chesto writes, "Millennium Partners and Cargo Ventures envision a 1-mile gondola system running above Summer Street to provide transportation between South Station and 12 acres they plan to develop in the city's marine industrial park."

Democratic Representative Stephen Lynch, who has promoted the project, stated that "This gondola system would carry the equivalent of 40 buses per hour, while reducing vehicular traffic and eliminating carbon emissions."

While Millennium Partners is willing to pay the requisite $100 million, "neither the city of Boston nor the Massachusetts Port Authority, a major landowner in the neighborhood, have expressed support for [the project]." 

"Among the city officials' concerns are the gondola system's aesthetics as well as potential conflicts with other transportation options under consideration, such as dedicated bus lanes along Summer Street," writes Chesto. And then there's the larger question: are gondolas just an eye-catching distraction?

Tuesday, February 27, 2018 in The Boston Globe

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Close-up of "Apartment for rent" sign in red text on black background in front of blurred building

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program

Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

April 21, 2025 - Housing Wire

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

April 30, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up on Canadian flag with Canada Parliament building blurred in background.

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?

As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

April 28, 2025 - Benjamin Schneider

Washington

Washington State’s Parking Reform Law Could Unlock ‘Countless’ Acres for New Housing

A law that limits how much parking cities can require for residential amd commercial developments could lead to a construction boom.

2 hours ago - Streetsblog USA

Bluebird sitting on branch of green bush.

Wildlife Rebounds After the Eaton Fire

Following the devastation of the Eaton Fire, the return of wildlife and the regrowth of native plants are offering powerful signs of resilience and renewal.

3 hours ago - AP News

1984 Olympics

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles

LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

4 hours ago - Newsweek

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.