PALM SPRINGS, CA (March 25, 2019) The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is scheduled to reopen Monday, April 1 after completing repairs from damages sustained in the February 14 flood.

In addition to a section of the road being washed-out over a drainage culvert, a second section of road was also replaced due to subsidence from rain run-off. Additional repairs included restoration of power to Mountain Station, minor repairs to the Mountain Station roof, repair of the Valley Station fire suppression system, repair of the Valley Station freshwater system, repair of the Valley Station wastewater system, minor damage to the Valley Station façade, and removal of rocks and debris from streams, parking lots and roadways.

While the Tramway was on track for record attendance in fiscal year 2018-19, it is estimated that nearly 100,000 visitors were displaced due to the 46-day closure (based upon the prior year’s attendance numbers). The Tram also estimates that the incident resulted in almost $4 million in repair costs and lost ticket revenues.

According to Tramway General Manager Nancy Nichols, “We truly look forward to welcoming back Tram visitors beginning April 1^st. Also, I wish to extend a sincere thank you to the entire Tramway staff for their efforts during our closure. And I’d like to offer a special thanks to our maintenance department for their tireless repair efforts and to our security department for their gracious greeting at our entry gate of disappointed patrons.”

February 27, 2019 – The Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority—the governing body for the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway—met today and authorized the following:

• For Tramway employees who do not have work available for them during the closure, wage continuance will be extended through March 31, 2019, which coincides with the April 1 tentative reopening date. Over half the Tram staff is, however, currently on duty with closure-related duties,
• Ratified approval of $351,071 in road, lot and electrical repairs plus additional rental fees for scaffolding. Also authorized the general manager an amount not to exceed $500,000 for further repairs, engineering and inspections.
• Authorized the waiver of concessionaire commission payments to the Tramway for January and February.

February 25, 2019 – Additional items have been added since the February 19 assessment regarding damages sustained to the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway from the February 14 storm.

• Repair work to the washed-out portion of Tram Way should be completed by the end of this week.
• Upon completion of road repairs, heavy equipment will be brought up to remove debris, such as rocks and trees.
• Contractors will begin repairs to the main power line (to restore power to the Mountain Station) and repair the Valley Station’s fire suppression system.
• Crews are digging out dirt and debris currently blocking the intake valve to the Valley Station water tank. Once refilled and properly treated, potable water will be available at the Valley Station.
• In addition to the previously reported water damage at the Mountain Station, some minor roof damage has been discovered.
• Additional minor damage to Tram Way has been identified.

The above repairs are expected to be completed by March 31, which would tentatively allow an April 1 reopening. We hope, however, that the work can be completed sooner thus permitting an earlier reopening.

In the meantime, Tramway website visitors are being directed to attraction links on the websites of the Palm Springs Bureau of Tourism and the Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.