Light-rail facilitates access to Grand Canyon South Rim

Grand Canyon National Park began paving the way for a shift from automobiles to mass transit as construction crews broke ground in April.

Beginning in the year 2002, day-use visitors will travel by light-rail from the gateway community of Tusayan, Arizona, just south of the park, to the Canyon View Information Plaza 6 miles north. Here, many visitors will get their first glimpse of the Grand Canyon, obtain information needed to plan their park visit, and the means by which to access their park destination. Choices include alternative-fuel buses, a Greenway Trail System for pedestrian and bike travel and the light-rail system. The light-rail service will operate year-round and is designed to accommodate peak flows of 4,200 people per hour. It will require approximately 9 miles of double-track.

Funding for construction of the project is being provided through the Federal Lands Highway Program and the Recreation Fee Demonstration Program, which were authorized by Congress as part of the 1996 and 1997 Appropriations Acts. Visitor fees for the light-rail service have yet to be determined.

Copyright T L Enterprises, Inc. Jun 1999
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