Los Angeles has long struggled with congestion around Dodger Stadium, Major League Baseball’s most-attended venue. 

A new idea is now moving forward: an aerial gondola linking Union Station directly to the ballpark. 

METRO’s Executive Editor Alex Roman sat down with David Grannis, Executive Director of Zero Emissions Transit, to talk about the project’s history, technology, community impact, and future.

About the LA ART Gondola

To start, what exactly is the LA ART gondola project, and why does it matter?

The gondola is a 1.2-mile aerial system connecting Union Station to Dodger Stadium, with an intermediate stop in Chinatown. 

Dodger Stadium hosts more than four million visitors a year, not including concerts or parkgoers, and right now the only way in is by car. This project helps fulfill a long-standing requirement to link the stadium to transit, while also reducing traffic and emissions in nearby neighborhoods.

How does the technology work?

A gondola is different from an aerial tram. Instead of two cars going up and down, you have multiple cabins circulating continuously. We’re planning a 3S system, which uses three cables for stability and capacity. Each cabin can hold up to 40 people, with departures every 23 seconds. That means about 6,000 people per hour, per direction. The ride will take about seven minutes.

Why did this project resurface now, after being studied for decades?

Honestly, part of it is persistence. 

The idea goes back 30 years, but it picked up momentum when Metro created the Office of Extraordinary Innovation and invited proposals. We submitted the gondola as a private-sector idea, and Metro became the lead agency for environmental review. After years of analysis, Metro’s board certified the environmental documents in 2024, which allowed us to move into state approvals.

The Road to Completion 

What’s the timeline? Will it be ready for the 2028 Olympics?

We’re aiming for 2028, but I’ll be candid: it’s tight. We still need approvals from California State Parks and Caltrans, since the line passes over LA State Historic Park and the 110 Freeway. If those go through this year, it’s possible, but the schedule is challenging. Even if we miss the Olympic Games, the system will have lasting benefits.

What kind of feedback have you received from the community?

At first, people were skeptical — some thought it was a ski lift idea. But once we explained the capacity and safety, support grew. 

We also addressed concerns directly. Cabins are sealed so that nothing can be thrown out, and in privacy-sensitive areas, the windows will fog automatically as they pass. We’ve held extensive outreach; Metro even reported this project had more community engagement than any other they’ve worked on. Today, we see strong support from places like Chinatown and Olvera Street, where local businesses expect an economic boost.

Benefits of a Gondola System

Speaking of business, how could the gondola help local merchants?

Take Olvera Street, for example. The station will sit above the street, and visitors arriving by car or rideshare will walk through the marketplace to reach the gondola. That means more foot traffic, more visibility for retailers. 

In Chinatown, we’ve committed to branding and promoting the neighborhood as part of the project. It’s not just a ride to a game — it’s a connection to cultural districts that deserve more attention.

Sustainability is central to this project. Can you expand on that?

Yes. First, by taking about 3,000 cars out of circulation on game days, we reduce congestion, vehicle miles traveled, and emissions. 

Second, the gondola itself is a zero-emission system powered by clean electricity. We’ll also be the first to use battery backup vaults instead of diesel generators. Those vaults can even feed power back into the grid during peak demand, thereby supporting energy resilience within the community. So sustainability here isn’t just about fewer cars — it’s also about cleaner, more innovative energy use.

From a big-picture standpoint, what excites you most about this project?

Two things. One is the guest experience. You’ll be 275 feet in the air with incredible views of Los Angeles, and it’s free with a game ticket. That “wow factor” matters because good experiences make people want to use transit again. 

Second is the symbolism. If you see the gondola on a national broadcast, it tells the world LA is serious about innovation and zero-emission transit. It could become an icon, just like the Hollywood sign or Santa Monica Pier.

Final Word on the Project 

The LA ART gondola isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. But in this unique corridor, Grannis believes it offers a rare combination: congestion relief, emissions reduction, community benefit, and rider appeal. 

“This project,” he says, “is about more than getting to a baseball game. It’s about rethinking how transit can serve people and places in new ways.”

This article, generated using OpenAI, was edited for accuracy and style and based on an episode of METROspectives