TransLink says early studies show that a gondola up Burnaby Mountain would ease overcrowding and have environmental benefits.

SFU students could be one step closer to taking the skyway to school.

Burnaby city council voted Monday to support TransLink ‘s study of a gondola to connect the SkyTrain at Production Way station to Simon Fraser University.

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The vote means TransLink will study the estimated $197 million proposed project with the city’s endorsement.

For a decade, TransLink has been mulling an aerial tram that could move up to 3,000 people an hour.

Colin Fowler, co-founder of the advocacy group Build the SFU Gondola, says that would be welcome relief for the students often stranded by overcrowding on buses or icy roads in the winter.

It would also be better for the environment because it would remove fuel-burning buses, he added.

TransLink spokesperson Jill Drews said Tuesday that TransLink is in the early stages of planning, but that the authority was “glad to see the city of Burnaby is supportive” and that TransLink will continue to work with the city throughout the planning process.

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Drews said so far studies show a gondola to SFU has merit and the next phase includes funding for further study and project work on the proposed project.

“The funding we currently have is for further project development, including technical work and some public and stakeholder engagement. The project could move to construction if this further study continues to support the project and funding becomes available through a future investment plan,” said Drews, in an email.

TransLink released a new feasibility study for the project last year estimating the cost of developing a gondola would be $197 million, up from an estimated $114 million in 2011.