Tunnel Uproar Stemmed from Informal Conversation on Skiing

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) The whole uproar over a proposed tunnel between Little and Big Cottonwood Canyons started with an informal chat about skiing between a Goldman Sachs analyst and State Senator Carlene Walker. Walker took the idea up with the resort officials for the two canyons, which are in her Senate district.

Governor Huntsman joined the discussion and suggested a meeting of the minds on November 3rd to include resort officials, environmental groups, UDOT, and state lawmakers. But Huntsman's office says the Governor is not endorsing the tunnel plan, which would cost about 250-million dollars and offer road access between Alta and Brighton.

An internal memo drafted by Goldman Sachs also outlines another tunnel from the Cottonwood Canyons to Park City, tying the entire area into quote "one 7-resort Megaplex."

Walker says it's premature for anyone to worry about the potential impact of the tunnel on the canyon habitat or the surrounding resorts.

"We're not that far along in terms of anything specific," says Walker.

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