Grand Canyon Rail Faces Opponents

"Nearly everyone agrees that Grand Canyon traffic congestion must be reduced, but the gridlock likely won't end anytime soon now that plans for a $100 million light rail system have been put on hold. The plan called for an 8.5-mile rail line to carry tourists to the park's South Rim, where up to 6,000 drivers compete for 2,400 parking spaces on busy summer days. The proposal was approved by the National Park Service in 1997 and scheduled to be put out for bid last November. But Rep. John Shadegg and Sen. Jon Kyl, both Arizona Republicans, put the brakes on the bidding in favor of more study. Shadegg said buses should be considered again, arguing the decision for the rail plan was based on inflated visitor projections and outdated technology."