Mount Roberts Tramway
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The Mount Roberts Tramway is an aerial tramway just south of Juneau in the U.S. state of Alaska. In operation since 1996, it makes a six-minute ascent of 3,819-foot (1,164 m) Mount Roberts from the cruise ship docks to a height of about 1,800 feet (550 m), making it one of the most vertical tramways in the world. A restaurant, theater, nature center, and retail shops are located at the top of the tramway, as well as connections to trails leading from sea level to the summit.
The tramway was conceived by John Heiser in 1994. Heiser put together a team (Heiser, Bruce Booher, Marc Bond, Kevin Branson, and Ron Greisen) which formed Mount Roberts Development Corporation (MRDC). MRDC designed the facility, acquired the necessary land and rights-of-way, and obtained permits. MRDC then partnered with Goldbelt, Inc., the Alaska Native urban corporation, to finance, construct and operate the venture. MRDC managed the partnership and oversaw construction of the tramway by POMA of America and the top and bottom stations. The tram opened for limited operation in September of 1996, and the grand opening was held in May of 1997. MRDC sold its partnership interest to Goldbelt in the spring of 1998.
The Mount Roberts Tramway is one of Southeast Alaska's most popular tourist attractions, with around 200,000 visitors each summer.
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