ANSTED, W.Va. — A new $8 million aerial tram could be ready for visitors to Hawks Nest State Park in Fayette County by the end of next summer.
Ground was broken on the project Friday in a ceremony attended by Gov. Jim Justice and others.
The former tram had to be closed by the state in 2021 because of structural problems and issues with locating parts for the tram that first went into operation in 1970.
Both state Division of Natural Resources Director Brett McMillion and state Tourism Secretary Chelsea said Friday Gov. Justice made it clear he wanted the tram rebuilt.
“He told us to make it bigger and better,” McMillion said Friday.
The new aerial tram will be fully ADA-accessible. It will carry three cars up and down the canyon from the Hawks Nest Lodge to the New River south of the New River Gorge Bridge. It will still descend 465-feet into the canyon and will travel a length of about 1,100 feet.
McMillion said the old tram used the same track up and back while the new tram will cars to be going up and back at the same time.
“Our new tram will feature a pulse system, meaning the cars will go around the bullwheel in a counter-clockwise motion, slowing down to allow folks to get on and off at the depart and load stations,” McMillion said.
State Park revenue record
State Tourism Secretary Chelsea Ruby announced Friday revenue from West Virginia State Parks for the recently completed fiscal year topped $50 million for the first time ever.
Ruby said the annual revenue was around $25 million when Justice took office nearly eight years ago.