Williams News Logo
Grand Canyon News Logo

Trusted local news leader for Williams AZ and the Grand Canyon

Traffic meeting planned

The park's traffic issues will be the topic at four upcoming open house sessions, ending next Wednesday at the Squire Inn in Tusayan, from 4:30-8:30 p.m.

There will be no formal presentation but representatives will be available to answer questions.

Proposed is a shuttle bus system that would reduce traffic in the park by 15-25 percent. The comment period opened on March 17 and ends on May 1.

As a starting point, park officials are presenting an alternative called Option A. It calls for a 450-space parking lot and staging area north of Tusayan on Long Jim Canyon Road, providing shuttle bus service into the park using a new road that bypasses the South Entrance Station.

Locals would use that road as well.

The plan also calls for adding another 450 parking spaces at Canyon View Information Plaza to encourage those who drive in the park to use the shuttle while they're here.

The road between Mather Point and CVIP would be rerouted, turning the viewpoint into a pedestrian area.

The Transportation Plan, which Congress received last year, contains six transit alternatives ­ three based on a shuttle bus system, two light rail options and an option for regional rail introduced last year by Grand Canyon Railway.

Option A emerged as an economical alternative that can be built and operated with user fees.

For information, visit www.nps.gov/grca/compliance or http://parkplanning.nps.gov/grca, or contact Project Manager Vicky Stinson at 928-774-3026.


Donate Report a Typo Contact