The next phase of the Wyler Aerial Tramway revitalization is kicking off.
Lawmakers, state officials and business leaders announced the launch of Phase II in the revitalization process during a news conference Tuesday, Nov. 4, which received a $7 million boost from El Paso’s legislative delegation during the most recent regular session.
Phase I of the project, which is currently underway thanks to $20 million in state funding, includes expanded parking, accessible facilities and visitor amenities. Phase II of the project, which will include construction of a modern tramway system, visitors center, aerial station and expanded trails and facilities, will cost up to $30 million — organizers are launching a private campaign to bring the second phase to life.
There is currently no timeline for when the project might be completed.
But it took more than just legislators to bring the iconic tramway back to life — partners in the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Camino Real Regional Mobility Authority have run point to ensure the funds so painstakingly secured by lawmakers reach the tramway.
“This is what partnership looks like — state leaders, local support and private philanthropy all coming together for the people of Texas,” said Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Executive Director Dr. David Yoskowitz in a statement. “The Wyler Aerial Tramway is more than an engineering feat; it’s a symbol of how Texans work together to make great things happen.”
‘More than a ride’
For lawmakers, the launch of Phase II in the revitalization project seemed personal — many recalled learning that the tramway had been shuttered in 2018 and feeling compelled to act quickly to bring the iconic landmark back to life.
For state Rep. Vince Perez, who represents the district where the tramway is located in Central El Paso, much of the credit was owed to his predecessor, former state Rep. Lina Ortega, D-El Paso, who fought for years to secure funding for the tramway project.
Still, he noted the importance of bringing the tramway back to the border region, something he said provided a unique perspective for those in the three states and two countries the tramway overlooks.
“Wyler has always been more than a ride,” Perez, D-El Paso, said. “It’s where families come to change their point of view, where a few minutes off the ground suddenly make home feel larger, closer and more connected.”
“From atop Ranger Peak, you don’t see borders, you see a single community — El Paso, Las Cruces, Ciudad Juarez — breathing together across a vast and beautiful landscape,” he continued. “That matters, because we’re not an edge to somebody else’s story, we are a center; we’re not a border town, but a frontera.”
State Rep. Joe Moody shared a similar perspective.
“There’s something that happens to astronauts and they call it overview effect,” Moody, D-El Paso said. “They say that when you go into space and see the whole world from above, you feel an overwhelming sense of connection with all people everywhere. It’s supposed to be life changing to you.”
“Most of us are not going to get the chance to be a Neil Armstrong … but something like Wyler Tramway is about as close as we’ll come to that kind of perspective.”
Adam Powell covers government and politics for the El Paso Times and can be reached via email at apowell@elpasotimes.com.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Wyler Tramway revival enters Phase II with $7M boost from El Paso lawmakers
Reporting by Adam Powell, El Paso Times / El Paso Times
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