LA ART Gondola Project Takes Next Step Forward in Approval Process with Release of Draft Supplemental Environmental Report

72 percent of Angelenos support the zero-emission gondola which will take thousands of cars off the road and reduce traffic around Dodger Stadium

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Backed by strong public support, the Los Angeles Aerial Rapid Transit (LA ART) gondola project reached an important milestone today with Metro's release of a Draft Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) that provides additional information to the previously-approved EIR regarding construction mitigation.

Earlier this year, the Court of Appeal confirmed that Metro fulfilled its obligations under the California Environmental Quality Act on all but two minor issues that required additional information regarding construction noise mitigation. The Court of Appeal directed Metro to prepare a supplemental environmental impact report that responds to the Court of Appeal's direction on these issues and provides additional information before reapproving the gondola project. The Draft SEIR responds to the Court of Appeals' direction and moves the project forward in the approval process.

The gondola project has garnered overwhelming support from neighborhood supporters from the surrounding communities of El Pueblo, Chinatown, Mission Junction, Solano Canyon, William Meade Homes, who recognize the environmental and transportation benefits of this zero-emission transit solution. 

"My neighbors and I are tired of dealing with the effects of Dodger Stadium traffic," said Shirley Zhang, a Chinatown resident. "Not only are our streets congested with cars, but the sometimes-unruly drivers create dangerous conditions for our children. We live off College Street, and my family has to plan our schedules around game days because we have a hard time getting home or leaving during peak hours. We need a solution that will get people off the road to make our neighborhoods cleaner and safer – the gondola is an important part of the solution."

Link to Draft SEIR

MORE ABOUT THE GONDOLA PROJECT

Nearly 15,000 individuals and more than 300 businesses in Chinatown, El Pueblo, and Lincoln Heights have signed up to support the project, and a poll found 72% of Los Angeles County residents support the project. The LA Times editorial board recently wrote an editorial supporting the project, urging local leaders to "let the Dodger gondola take flight!" The project also has support from organized labor, business, and environmental advocates. These include FASTLinkDTLA, the Los Angeles and Orange County Building Trades, the Los Angeles County Business Federation (BizFed), the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce, Central City Association, the Chinese American Museum, Climate Resolve, Breathe Southern California, and the Healthy Air Alliance.

The Dodger Stadium gondola would operate with zero emissions and would be the first aerial gondola transit system to include a battery-electric backup system. The project's approved environmental review finds that it could reduce emissions by over 150,000 metric tons of greenhouse gasses over its lifetime. The gondola would be free to ride for anyone with a ticket to a Dodger game. It will also provide local benefits to those who live and work in the area through the "Community Access Program" which would allow residents and employees of businesses close to the project to ride the gondola and connect to the regional transit system for an LA Metro fare, at no additional cost.

The proposed system has a much higher capacity than other forms of public transportation. The EIR shows that within two hours prior to the start of a game or event at Dodger Stadium, more than 10,000 people could be transported to the stadium via the gondola.  That's the equivalent of running 77 buses per hour loading to full capacity in 53 seconds.

Renderings and Video available upon request. Learn more at laart.la. 

CONTACT 
Maddy Buss (Zero Emissions Transit) 
[email protected] 

SOURCE Los Angeles Aerial Rapid Transit