Skywalk – Unique Horseshoe Glass Observation Deck Over Grand Canyon
One of the first National Parks in the United States to open, in the state of Arizona is the Grand Canyon. President Theodore Roosevelt was a major proponent, creating this majestic and one of the most scenic National Parks. The canyon was created by the Colorado River cutting a channel over millions of years. Statistical information regarding the Grand Canyon: Approximately
277 miles long, ranges in width from .025 to 15 miles and a depth of more than a mile. Native American Indians were among the first to built settlements within the canyon walls. Grand Canyon National Park averages 4.7 million visitors annually. Included in the average number of visitors: Over three million visit the South Rim (Open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Services are available and facilities are open year round.), 750,000 visitors enjoy the North Rim (Open from mid May to mid – October or weather permitting.), and 50,000 visit the newly discovered West Rim. During the summer time, daytime highs at the river often exceed 105 degrees Fahrenheit. During July, August and early Septembers thunderstorms are frequent. In November 2006, USA Today (American National newspaper) in conjunction with the ‘Good Morning America (American television show) revealed a list of “New Seven Wonders” (Remarkable constructions of classical antiquity) as chosen by six judges. The seventh on the list is the Grand Canyon.
In April 2005, construction began on a unique glass – bottomed horseshoe – shaped observation deck, 1.07 million pounds (About as heavy as four Boeing 757 jets stacked on top of each other) including 94 steel rods that bore 46 feet into the limestone rock, extended about 75 feet from the canyons rim (More than half the length of a football field), and suspended over the canyon’s towering red rock walls almost a mile above (Fastened to the rock using an elaborate system of pulleys connected to four trailers) a faint silver of Colorado River flowing below. Prior to completion of the project, underneath hydraulic “shoes” will lift the Skywalk (name of the observation deck) above a cement track and roll it across a bed of metal rods (Started March 6, 2007 a two day operation). Trucks will push it out. Sheri Yellowhawk, Chief Executive Officer of the Grand Canyon Resort Corporation (Company building the Skywalk) said: ” The Skywalk will be an attraction unlike any other in the world.” Engineers have determined the best way to keep the Skywalk anchored by loading the back end with a half — million pounds of steel cubes as counterweight. Debra Wilkerson, an assistant operation manager for Grand Canyon west (agency that supervises the Skywalk) said: “Wednesday (March 7, 2007) the rollout was finished without any problems. Just smooth as glass.” Skywalk is located on the Hualapai Indian Reservation tribe, nearly one million acres, on the canyon’s western rim, 120 miles west of Las Vegas, and 250 miles west of Grand Canyon National Park main entrance. Skywalk has three oscillating dampers — steel plates, each 3,200 pounds — inside the hollow bridge beams act as shock absorbers, moving up and down to neutralize the vibrations from foot traffic and designed to withstand 100 mph winds. Also, walkway is constructed with three inch thick, heat strengthened glass and enclosed by five — foot glass walls. Future plans include turning a maintenance car designed to run on a track along the bottom of the Skywalk into a trolley ride for visitors.
In 1996, David Jin, a Las Vegas developer proposed the construction of the Skywalk to the Hualapai Indian Reservation tribe. David Jin realized Skywalk would provide: 720 degree view of the grand canyon compared to a 180 degree view of the Grand Canyon from an aircraft. The tribe agreed to Skywalk construction project, provided they own the walkway, and would provide a portion of the profits collected from visitors (Charging $25.00 per person and other entry fees.) to David Jin. The tribe plans to use their proceeds to build a visitor center with a museum, Movie Theater, Gift shop and several restaurants. The Hualapa Indian Reservation tribe hopes the economic prosperity from the Skywalk, help to decrease the tribe residents (1,500 are unemployed) unemployment rate, and improve the approximately thirty percent of the population in poverty level. Besides, currently the tribe already draws more than 300,000 visitors year, offering on the Grand Canyon west rim helicopter sightseeing flights, rafting and pontoon boat rides, an Indian village, Hummer rides through the outback and a replica old West Town. The tribe does not receive any proceeds from operating casinos, a $23 billion industry for Native Americans. The Hualapa Indian Reservation tribal officials believe the thirty – million dollar Skywalk project will double the number of visitors in the first year alone. Currently, two-thirds of visitors to Grand Canyon west region are on packaged day trips from Las Vegas. Some critics have referred to this project liken to imposing an amusement park attraction on a natural wonder.
Skywalk is expected to officially open on March 20, 2007. Astronaut Buzz Aldrin (Second man to walk on the moon) will be attending the grand opening and lead an invitation only group on the platform. In early March, spiritual leader of the Hualapa Indian Reservation blessed the Skywalk and called the structure “the white man’s idea.” Also he said: “Like the car and buses. The white man made it, and it came out strong. We’ve got to give it a chance.” On March 28, 2007, Skywalk will be officially open to the public, allowing 120 visitors at a time to walk out over the canyon rim.
