(The Associated Press distributed the following article on January 3.)
TUCSON, Ariz. — As one of Arizona’s natural jewels, the Grand Canyon awes millions of visitors with its pristine habitats and breathtaking views.
But the cars, RVs and trucks brought by visitors are causing traffic jams that take away from the national park’s natural experience.
To remedy the traffic congestion at the park’s South Rim and on State Route 64, the Grand Canyon’s tourist railroad has proposed a $186 million high-speed train.
The rail service would begin in 2005 and run from Williams, reducing vehicle traffic on the South Rim by 50 percent, according to Grand Canyon Railway’s proposal.
“Route 64 is at capacity,” said David Chambers, president of the Grand Canyon Railway. “If 50 percent of the park’s visitors ride the train, this proposal would also solve the problem of congestion along 64 as well as in the park.”
Trains would leave every 60 minutes or even more frequently beginning at 6 a.m., with the last train returning to Williams at 10:30 p.m.
The proposal includes a parking lot for 2,200 cars and 110 RVs in Williams.
A second phase to the project includes a six-mile rail spur from Tusayan to the Canyon View Information Plaza visitors center near Mather Point that would begin operating in 2013.
The plan will be considered as the Park Service examines several other proposals to bring visitors into the park without their vehicles, said Grand Canyon Superintendent Joseph Alston.
“The $100 million question is where all the money is going to come from. There’s a lot of competition for funding sources,” Alston said. “The Arizona congressional delegation and others are going to be looking at the least expensive way to get there.”
The proposal expects federal funding would provide 80 percent of the project’s money and the state would pay for the rest. The first phase would cost an estimated $115 million and the second, $71 million, according to the proposal.
Also, visitors to the Grand Canyon, even those who don’t use the railroad, would pay an additional $5 if the rail plan is adopted.
But some point out that the plan faces several challenges.
“It indicates to me it’s not feasible since they are seeking 80 percent federal funding,” said Dennis Foster, a Northern Arizona University economics professor critical of rail lines to the Canyon.
Park Service planners envisioned a light rail or shuttle service for the entire South Rim by 2004 when they planned the visitors center. But they emphasized trying to get visitors to Tusayan, so they would be more inclined to take a short ride on public transportation into the park, Alston said.
“This proposal tries to make Williams the gateway to the Canyon,” he said. “Tusayan is what we have wanted.”
Also, beginning rail service in 2005 could be difficult since an environmental review of the project wouldn’t begin until summer, at the earliest.
About 90 percent of the park’s visitors congregate on the South Rim. The crush of motorists quickly fills the parking spots and generates long lines of traffic, especially in the summer. And park officials are projecting a 3 percent increase in visitors this year.