Current Park Projects
The beginning of the millennium brought ambitious plans for modernizing the South Rim, including constructing a new visitor center, a modern transportation system, and "greenway trails," paths specifically for cyclists, walkers, and pedestrians which lessen the impact of motorized traffic. Though the new visitor center and a number of greenway trails were completed, plans for a light rail network along the South Rim never materialized. Actual construction of such a system is likely years away, if it ever occurs.
Park authorities had not yet released the new transportation plan at press time, limiting our ability to know all the projects that will begin in 2008 and 2009. However, more lanes have been already opened for cars at the South Entrance, significantly reducing wait times there. The plan to repave Hermit Road in 2008 means that it will be closed from Mohave Point west starting in March, and the entire road from Village Loop west will be closed from July until approximately November. Since there will be limited or no shuttle bus service on Hermit Road for much of 2008, park authorities are considering creating a route between Canyon View Information Plaza and Desert View, with a few stops along the way. It also seems likely that park authorities will be working to open more parking areas closer to Canyon View Information Plaza. At present, visitors can ride the park's shuttle bus system around Grand Canyon Village, to all Hermit Road and Yavapai overlooks, and to Yaki Point.
