Texas Parks & Wildlife closed the Wyler Aerial Tramway in September 2018. An engineering report concluded that the tram was too old to carry passengers safely.

Planning

TPWD and local partners began work immediately to reopen the Tramway.

TPWD hired engineering firm Atkins Global to conduct a feasibility study and create a master plan for the entire park.

Atkins’ plan has two phases:

• Phase 1 – Amphitheater, parking lot expansion, day-use facilities, sun shelter, ADA improvements, and updating existing facilities such as restrooms and hiking trails. Its estimated cost is $17 million.
• Phase 2 – Tramway and a visitor center.

Funding

The state legislature granted TPWD $10 million for the tramway in 2019 and 2021. With this funding, TPWD hired Atkins Global.

Once Atkins finished its work, TPWD transferred the remaining funds ($9.697 million) to its local partner, Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority.

Next Steps

The Regional Mobility Authority has hired Atkins Global to continue working on the project. TPWD has asked for $10 million in the next legislative session to round out funding for Phase 1.

Once funding is in place, construction on Phase 1 can begin.