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South Entrance Road Improvements
Grand Canyon National Park » South Entrance Road Improvements » Document List
Updated: September 7, 2007
An Environmental Assessment/Assessment of Effect (EA/AEF) for the park's South Entrance Road Improvements project has been completed. The park requested comments on the EA/AEF during a 30-day public review period from July 19 through August 20, 2007. The park received one comment during the review period.
The EA/AEF evaluated a No Action Alternative and a Preferred Alternative to improve the South Entrance Road (Highway 64) between the community of Tusayan and the entrance station, located on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The purpose of these improvements is to provide an effective system that will address the crowding and safety issues that can occur during the high visitor use season, as well as to improve the experience of those entering the park through the South Entrance. Although some improvements have recently been implemented at the South Entrance to address these issues, the additional improvements are planned to further improve conditions at the entrance station.
The park is working with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to address the proposed work in the ADOT easement, south of the park boundary. The preferred alternative includes 1) constructing up to two additional northbound lanes, approximately 1 mile long; 2) restriping the road from the park boundary to the entrance station; and 3) constructing a ½ mile long independent bypass lane.
The proposed road improvements in the preferred alternative have been considered in the larger planning effort for the upcoming South Rim Visitor Transportation Plan Environmental Assessment (Transportation Plan) expected to be released in fall 2007. This project was separated from the larger plan to address visitor experience and safety concerns and to expedite implementation. Although this project would precede the finalization of the Transportation Plan, it would ensure compatibility with future transportation options.
A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was signed on September 6, 2007 by Michael D. Snyder, Regional Director for Intermountain Region of the National Park Service. The Regional Director concluded that implementation of the preferred alternative for improving the road does not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment and is not an action that normally requires preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS).
Vicky Stinson, (928) 774-3026
An Environmental Assessment/Assessment of Effect (EA/AEF) for the park's South Entrance Road Improvements project has been completed. The park requested comments on the EA/AEF during a 30-day public review period from July 19 through August 20, 2007. The park received one comment during the review period.
The EA/AEF evaluated a No Action Alternative and a Preferred Alternative to improve the South Entrance Road (Highway 64) between the community of Tusayan and the entrance station, located on the South Rim of Grand Canyon National Park. The purpose of these improvements is to provide an effective system that will address the crowding and safety issues that can occur during the high visitor use season, as well as to improve the experience of those entering the park through the South Entrance. Although some improvements have recently been implemented at the South Entrance to address these issues, the additional improvements are planned to further improve conditions at the entrance station.
The park is working with the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT) to address the proposed work in the ADOT easement, south of the park boundary. The preferred alternative includes 1) constructing up to two additional northbound lanes, approximately 1 mile long; 2) restriping the road from the park boundary to the entrance station; and 3) constructing a ½ mile long independent bypass lane.
The proposed road improvements in the preferred alternative have been considered in the larger planning effort for the upcoming South Rim Visitor Transportation Plan Environmental Assessment (Transportation Plan) expected to be released in fall 2007. This project was separated from the larger plan to address visitor experience and safety concerns and to expedite implementation. Although this project would precede the finalization of the Transportation Plan, it would ensure compatibility with future transportation options.
A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was signed on September 6, 2007 by Michael D. Snyder, Regional Director for Intermountain Region of the National Park Service. The Regional Director concluded that implementation of the preferred alternative for improving the road does not constitute a major federal action significantly affecting the quality of the human environment and is not an action that normally requires preparation of an environmental impact statement (EIS).
Contact Information
Rachel Stanton, (928) 774-9612Vicky Stinson, (928) 774-3026