A woman opposing the proposed gondola project at Rock City has formally questioned the accuracy of a traffic study used to evaluate the project’s potential impact on Lookout Mountain.
The traffic study, conducted by Rock City in December, examined how the proposed gondola system would affect vehicle traffic traveling up Lookout Mountain. According to the study, the gondola would reduce traffic on the mountain while creating only a slight increase in traffic through the St. Elmo community.
Haley Shealy, who has voiced concerns about the project, told WDEF-TV she has filed an inquiry challenging the data used in the study. She contends the reported traffic numbers may not accurately reflect the gondola’s potential impact on the surrounding area.
Shealy said she believes the public deserves complete and transparent information before any permanent changes are made to Lookout Mountain. She argues that questions about the project’s potential effects should be resolved before construction begins or any natural habitat is altered.
In addition to questioning the study’s findings, Shealy has raised concerns that Walker County may have underreported traffic volumes, potentially avoiding additional review by state transportation officials. She is asking local and state officials to verify the traffic data used in the study before decisions are made regarding the proposed gondola.
The proposed Rock City gondola remains under review as public officials continue evaluating the project and concerns surrounding its potential environmental and traffic impacts.