LONDON - A cable car across the River Thames could be built in time to take spectators between venues at next year's London Olympics.

Transport for London says construction will start this year. The transport company will pay the 50.5 million pound ($82.2 million) cost rather than wait to raise private funding in an effort to get the project finished before the July 27-August 12 games.

As many as 2,500 people per hour will be able to make the 1.1-kilometer (0.68-mile) trip from the o2 Arena to the ExCel center in five minutes.

London Mayor Boris Johnson says it "will provide a truly sublime bird's eye view."

The O2 on the south bank will host events including the gymnastics and basketball finals, while ExCel features seven Olympic events and six Paralympic sports.