Grand Canyon Skywalk scheduled for July opening
Tuesday, 07 Feb 2006 14:49
The Skywalk will stretch out 4,000 feet above the Colorado river
The Grand Canyon's spectacular new attraction, The Skywalk, is set to open in time for mid-summer.
The project was originally due for completion in January, but changes to the design, including a new visitors centre and changes to the entrance to the structure, have pushed back its opening date until July 2006.
The Skywalk is a glass bridge suspended 4,000 feet above the Colorado River – higher than the world's tallest buildings.
The bridge is approximately ten feet wide and made of tempered glass several inches think and extending 70 feet out over the river.
The design of the bridge would enable it to withstand 71 fully loaded Boeing 747 airplanes, winds in excess of 100 miles per hour from eight different directions, and an earthquake registering at eight on the Richter scale within 50 miles.
The Skywalk is sited on the western rim of the Grand Canyon on land owned by the Hualapai Tribe.
"The Hualapai Tribe is looking forward to sharing The Skywalk with the world," said Sheri Yellowhawk, chief executive of Grand Canyon Resort Corporation.
"However, because this is the first project of its kind, we want to make every effort to ensure the experience is absolutely spectacular. The new designs planned for the visitors centre will only enhance the guest experience that much more – for generations to come."
For more information, see:
www.destinationgrandcanyon.com