St. Vital gondola not off the ground yet

Would you take a gondola from St. Vital to Fort Garry?

The city's really asking.

A survey regarding the proposed pedestrian crossing linking South St. Vital to the University of Manitoba presents a motorized gondola as one of four bridge design options.

The survey also asks for preferred locations for the crossing, all in the riverbend encircling the university.

The gondola idea has been in the works since March 2011, when the city put out a call for tenders for an active transportation bridge.

"What we've asked for is different ways to look at active transportation," Coun. Justin Swandel, who represents both sides of the river in the area, said last year. "It could be a gondola, a bridge or any other creative and innovative idea."

"My sense is it would be a lot more than just the university folks using it. I live in St. Norbert and I could use it to cycle to St. Vital Centre," Swandel said, noting people may also just take advantage of it as a recreational option.

Swandel said it's unsure what a bridge might cost, although he did say the city is building a similar active transportation bridge as part of the Disraeli Bridges project for about $15 million.

You can fill out the survey here.