Miami Skylink Urban Gondola Could Connect Miami and Miami Beach

Miami Skylink Rendering

Connecting Downtown Miami to Miami Beach via public transportation has been a longstanding public works dilemma for the City. Miami Beach Mayoral Candidate Steve Berke has proposed an innovative solution, the Miami Skylink. Berke’s bold plan calls for an urban cable car system to provide public transportation to make the Beach more accessible for commuters and tourists.

Berke believes the public works project could revolutionize Miami Beach. “ It’s iconic, it will be a tourist bucket list item. Up there with the Eiffel Tower or the London Eye,” Berke says. In addition to its potential as a tourist destination, the Miami Skylink, while not rapid transit, can provide Downtown Miami residents with a much-needed alternative to accessing Miami Beach.

Obviously, all this is not without a cost, a fact not lost on Berke. A plan to build the world’s largest cable car system could cost upwards of $450 million. Berke would hope to fund the project with some form of a public/private partnership. To offset costs, Berke has already been in contact with Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson, who has offered to purchase the naming rights of the integrated transport system.

The proposed Miami Skylink is not outside the realm of possibility, as a similar one, the Emirates Air Line, was built in London in preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games at a cost of around $95 million. Much like Berke’s vision, the developers sought the sponsorship of a multinational corporation, as they agreed to a 10-year, $57 million naming rights deal with Emirates. Beyond London, similar cable car services exist in Portland, Oregon and Medellin, Colombia.

Some additional photos of the proposed Miami Skylink:

Miami Skylink Gondola

South of Fifth View from Miami Skylink Gondola

Miami Skylink South Pointe Station

Miami Skylink from Downtown Miami