Design work may soon begin on the restoration and upgrading of one of the Southwest’s most popular attractions.
The Wyler Aeria Tramway in El Paso, traveling up the side of the Franklin Mountains, was built in 1959 and provides sweeping views of more than 7,000 square miles of land, two nations, and three states.
In 2018 the tram was closed due to safety concerns, with both state and local officials pondering exactly how much it may cost to put it back into operation.
Now the project has secured $7 million in funding via the Texas State Legislature, money that will be added to the $27 million earlier appropriated by the state for the work.
The project is a three-phase effort, with the first phase centering on demolition work and the building of a new loop road around the tramway park. The second phase will see work on the site’s visitor center as well as other public amenities.
Officials have said that phase one of the project should be completed by next year, with the tramway itself set to be reopened for the public by 2028.
Built by broadcast pioneer Karl Wyler and El Paso television station KTSM, the tramway was originally used for transporting supplies up the side of the steep Franklin Mountains during the construction of a transmitter antenna for KTSM.
Because of its location, the antenna was thought to be the tallest such broadcasting tower at 5,990 feet above sea level in the state of Texas.
June 6, 2025
By Garry Boulard
Photo courtesy of Texas Parks and Wildlife
