Introduction
The National Park Service of the U. S. Department of the Interior has requested Walt Disney Productions to submit data on the relative feasibility of two transportation systems to Mineral King. The alternatives are a modern all-weather highway, as proposed by the State Division of Highways, or a railroad. The original economic evaluation of Mineral King's development potentials prepared by E. R. A. and submitted to the U.S. Forest Service in support of an application for a use permit assumed a new highway. Dependence on rail transportation in lieu of an adequate highway has serious implications for both attendance and economic feasibility of the proposed development, as discovered in a preliminary investigation of access by train (or monorail) prior to the use permit application. There-fore, WDP requested E.R.A. to update its previous analysis to reflect recent economic planning. At the same time the firm of Voorheis-Trindle-Nelson, Inc. was retained to perform a preliminary engineering study on the alignment and cost of a railroad. This report summarizes the findings of the economic analysis including inputs from the engineering study.
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