PHOTOS: Mighty Argo Cable Car gondola towers installed above Idaho Springs

Construction of the -million Mighty Argo Cable Car gondola in Idaho Springs took a major step forward Thursday with the installation of backing towers hoisted into place by a Blackhawk helicopter When completed the gondola will extend miles from the Argo Mill to an observation point feet above Idaho Springs It will have -person cabins with glass-bottomed floors plus five specialized mountain bike cabins able to travel eight mountain bikes each The project includes building miles of mountain biking trails in conjunction with the Colorado Mountain Bike Association Along with a panoramic view the upper terminal at Miner s Point will include food and beverage observation decks and a wedding venue Project founder and co-investor Mary Jane Loevlie declared the gondola and upper terminal are expected to open next spring if not sooner I couldn t be more excited Loevlie explained of the tower installation on Thursday I m going to cry