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BIG designs zero-emission gondola at Howard Terminal Ballpark in Oakland

United States Architecture News - Jan 31, 2019 - 02:56   16498 views

BIG designs zero-emission gondola at Howard Terminal Ballpark in Oakland

The Oakland Athletics has unveiled images for a new gondola designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) providing an access to the firm's new ballpark at Oakland’s Howard Terminal. 

Announced at the Oakland A’s FanFest, the new gondola will connect the Oakland Convention Center/12th Street BART Station to Water Street at Jack London Square. 

BIG designs zero-emission gondola at Howard Terminal Ballpark in Oakland

The new structure will be designed as the zero-emission transit line that will provide residents and visitors with a safe and sustainable way to commute, explore, and soon enough, travel, to see the A’s play in their future ballpark.

The ride will approximately be three minutes and be able to move 6,000 individuals per hour per direction. It is designed as cheaper than a bridge or tunnel, the whole structure is expected to cost $123 million, including the cable transport system, according to team president Dave Kaval. The structure would be privately financed and would require approval from various state and local agencies. 

BIG designs zero-emission gondola at Howard Terminal Ballpark in Oakland

The gondola is expected to be opened in 2023, when BIG's stadium is slated to open. Each gondola cabin will carry around 30 to 35 passengers. 

The design of gondola also has green/sustainability benefits. The design will electrically powered, and will be driven by any renewable power sources available in the region.

BIG designs zero-emission gondola at Howard Terminal Ballpark in Oakland

The structure will not increase or slow ground-based traffic. It uses less energy than any other form of fixed link transportation. The design typically has less carbon foot impact than more traditional modes of transport.

All images courtesy of Oakland Athletics

> via Oakland Athletics/BIG