Grand Canyon National Park has secured a substantial federal grant of $27.5mn from the Department of Transportation's Federal Highway Administration. The funding will be utilized to replace the park's aging fleet of shuttle buses, which play a vital role in facilitating transportation for the 4mn visitors who flock to the iconic landmark each year.
The ambitious project will involve the acquisition of 30 new buses, with 20 of them running on compressed natural gas (CNG) and the remaining 10 being electric buses. Charging stations will be installed to support the operation of the electric buses, allowing for efficient and sustainable transportation within the park. The introduction of these modern, eco-friendly buses is expected to significantly reduce pollution and alleviate the issues caused by overcrowding of vehicles within the park.
Grand Canyon National Park encompasses an expansive area and boasts over 270 miles of paved and unpaved roads. As a result, efficient transportation systems are essential for visitors to fully explore the park's natural wonders. The federal grant aims to enhance the park experience by providing safer, more sustainable, and more reliable means of transportation.
The grant announcement was made on July 6 at the park's south rim, with representatives from the Department of Transportation, the Interior Department, the park management, and surrounding communities in attendance. This funding aligns with President Biden's Investing in America agenda, which prioritizes investments in sustainable infrastructure across the nation.
Federal Highway Administrator Shailen Bhatt expressed his enthusiasm for the project.
"With this National Park Service grant that is part of President Biden's Investing in America agenda, we're helping to deliver safe, sustainable, and reliable transportation investments that help families and visitors explore the Grand Canyon National Park and surrounding communities," Bhatt stated.
The funding serves as a testament to the commitment of the federal government to support environmentally friendly initiatives and enhance visitor experiences in national parks.
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