Politicians in the city of Fribourg have proposed the installation of cable cars at an estimated cost of 25 million francs to help reduce traffic congestion in the downtown area.

The lift system would link the city’s hospital with a new urban development zone proposed near the south of the city under the plan submitted by Antoinette de Weck (Liberals), an executive municipal councillor for the city and member of the cantonal parliament and Erika Schnyder (Socialist), another cantonal MP.

The proposal has been submitted to the cantonal government for further consideration.

A preliminary feasibility study was conducted by engineer Raphaël Casazza, who is also municipal councillor for the city of Fribourg, the ATS news agency reported on Tuesday.

If the plan is accepted, the cable car system could be operational as early as 2021, proponents say.

Cable cars have emerged as alternative transportation systems in cities around the world.

One of the most cited examples is the one operating in Medellin, Colombia.

Other cities in Switzerland have also considered such people-moving systems, including Geneva and Zurich but the projects fizzled.

Earlier this year, the town of Morges, in the canton of Vaud, commissioned a study into the possibility of such an installation to link its train station with a new residential area set to house 8,000 people.

The 1.8-kilometre lift, with gondolas carrying 35 people apiece, would be capable of moving 6,000 passengers a day by 2030.