A new underground funicular is under construction in the Grödnertal (Val
Gardena) in Südtirol (Alto Adige). It will connect the lower end of the
Col Raiser aerial cableway (on the north side of the valley) with Rucia on the
south side, at the lower end of the Saslong world cup ski run (where also an
aerial cableway leads upwards). By now the ski areas are connected by busses.
It will be a classical funicular with two cars and a siding in the middle of
the 1246 m long line. Operating speed will be 10 m/s (36 km/h). Each car can
transport 140 persons, yielding a total capacity of 2000 persons per hour in
each direction. Opening is planned for christmas 2004.
<br>
This is the construction site at Rucia, seen from the north side. The tunnel,
which is not visible, passes under the street in the left part of the picture.
In the background is the Saslong run, most of the finish area is used for
parking at this time. The wooden building at the bottom is used for the
commentators during the world cup. On the right is the station of the aerial
cableway which leads up into the ski area. Picture taken on 26 February 2004.
<p>
Digital photo by
<a href="http://www-users.rwth-aachen.de/christoph.schmitz2/index.html">Christoph
Schmitz</a>
(<a href="mailto:christoph.schmitz2@post.rwth-aachen.de">christoph.schmitz2@post.rwth-aachen.de</a>)