GRAND CANYON WEST, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Hualapai Tribe and Grand Canyon Resort Corporation on Monday began paving the final 9 miles of Diamond Bar Road, the desert path that leads thousands of tourists to the Grand Canyon Skywalk. The construction project will turn the dirt road into a smoothly paved thoroughfare, giving tourists a more enjoyable drive to the Hualapai reservation and the majestic Grand Canyon West (http://www.grandcanyonwest.com/). Tribal members celebrated the project on Monday with a groundbreaking and blessing ceremony, which included traditional Hualapai music, prayers and dancing.
Hualapai Chairwoman Sherry J. Counts said the project is scheduled to be completed within one year and was funded by the Tribe using federal grants. Grand Canyon West and the Skywalk are open for business, and motorists will not experience any significant delays while the paving takes place, Counts said.
“This project is very meaningful to the Hualapai Tribe – and to the thousands of people who visit Grand Canyon West each year,” Counts said. “Our tourists will have a smooth, scenic drive to this magnificent destination, and we anticipate a considerable increase in our visitor count as a result.”
About 1,000 vehicles use Diamond Bar Road each day, and Grand Canyon West officials expect to see even greater numbers once the road is fully paved, Hualapai Tribe spokesman Dave Cieslak said. It will be built to U.S. highway standards, and the project includes a complete realignment and reconstruction of the road, he added.
Grand Canyon West is a collection of viewpoints and attractions spread over 9,000 acres of the canyon’s west rim, just 120 miles east of Las Vegas. It is the only place in the Grand Canyon where visitors can enjoy whitewater rafting on the Colorado River or access a boat ride along the Colorado via helicopter. Grand Canyon West is also home to the renowned Skywalk, a glass bridge 4,000 feet above the canyon floor.
Grand Canyon Resort Corporation, which is wholly owned by the Hualapai Tribe, manages Grand Canyon West, as well as the Hualapai Ranch and the Hualapai River Runners. The tribal economy relies heavily on tourism revenue from Grand Canyon West; the destination plays a key role in funding for Hualapai schools, infrastructure and social services.
