REPORT: Wyler Aerial Tramway unsafe for public use, $7 million to replace

Replacing the Wyler Aerial Tramway would cost more than $7 million, according to a review and analysis conducted by an engineering firm.

Tramway Engineering, Ltd., a firm based out of Colorado, compiled a nine-page report detailing the various safety issues affecting the Wyler Aerial Tramway.

Among the most pressing issues are the brakes: The report states that the left track brake was “not capable of stopping,” leaving the only solution to completely replace the track brakes.

The problem, according to the report, is that the manufacturer that made the original tramway and created custom parts has gone out of business.

The Wyler Aerial Tramway analysis stated that it’s “unlikely a qualified company” would be able to create and install new track cable brakes.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department took over tramway operations when it was donated in 1997. But the tramway had been running since 1960, well before national safety standards were even devised.

According to the executive summary of the report, “the aerial tram was not designed for 59 years of continual use.”

Texas Parks and Wildlife Department staff operating the tram lacked experience dealing with day-to-day functions of a “complicated and unique piece of equipment,” according to the report.

Antiquated equipment and inexperienced staff only heighten safety concerns: In case of an emergency, such as an evacuation, engineers stated “this tram would gain negative national attention in addition to the liability.”

A review of incidents found that there were two instances in which the tramway went past a terminal resulting in damage, the report stated.