GRAND CANYON, Arizona — The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has awarded the National Park Service (NPS) a $27.5 million grant for the Grand Canyon National Park Shuttle Bus Vehicle Replacement Project in Arizona. Announced.
The project involves installing 30 new buses, including 10 new battery-electric buses and 20 new compressed natural gas (CNG) buses to replace the current aging fleet, as well as the installation of charging infrastructure to support the new electric buses. It contains.
An estimated 6 million people visit the park each year, using the free shuttle buses to reach destinations within the Grand Canyon.
“Grand Canyon National Park is one of our most beloved national parks,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg. “Made possible by President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure legislation, this grant will help ensure safe and reliable bus service for park visitors for decades to come.”
The project is one of seven projects that have received a total of $130.5 million in federal grants under FHWA’s Nationally Significant Federal Land and Tribal Transportation Projects Program. The grants, announced on July 6, recognize transportation projects of national importance that serve federal and tribal lands, rebuilding infrastructure and delivering great wins for the American people. It is part of the investment plan.
Officials from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Department of the Interior, and Grand Canyon National Park and surrounding communities attended an event at the Grand Canyon’s South Rim on July 6 to announce the grant award.
“With this National Park Service grant, which is part of President Biden’s investment policy in the United States, we are providing a safe and sustainable way for families and tourists to explore Grand Canyon National Park and its surrounding areas,” the Federal Highway said in a statement. We are supporting the realization of highly reliable transportation investment.” Administrator Shaylen Butt. “The new bus fleet will allow millions of people to continue to visit the park and enjoy this natural wonder, while providing a climate-friendly connection to the region’s transport network, helping visitors and locals can be connected to other destinations within the region.”
“Practicing responsible management of Grand Canyon National Park requires leading by example in the fight against climate change,” said Rep. Raul M. Grijalva. “The $27.5 million grant from USDOT is the first significant investment to renew the Grand Canyon’s aging transportation infrastructure to make it more sustainable, and NPS’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. Support the Climate Action Plan: I support this federal fund to ensure accessible, efficient and clean connectivity for visitors around the world, and as we work towards a sustainable future, We will continue to support investments to strengthen the park’s infrastructure.”
“The Biden-Harris administration is taking a whole-of-government approach to developing a clean energy economy where public lands play a key role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” said Matt. Mr Strickler said. “The Department of the Interior is committed to continuing strong and collaborative partnerships with federal, local, tribal and industry partners to improve the park visitor experience and meet President Biden’s ambitious clean energy goals. looking forward to it.”
“The necessary replacement of older shuttle bus vehicles presents an opportunity to upgrade to cleaner, quieter electric buses,” said Ed Keble, director of Grand Canyon National Park. “This project will address the transportation challenges associated with maintaining aging fleets and NPS’ goal of achieving sustainable alternative transportation modes.”
The Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Transport had worked closely with the then Department of Public Roads for nearly 100 years. As the Authority modernized throughout the 20th century, it enabled major restoration projects and new transportation options in some of our nation’s most prized sites, including Acadia National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, and Zion National Park, increasing access to the parks. Access just got easier. In November 2021, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg announced a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen their collaboration on infrastructure investments and the introduction of innovative technologies at National Park Service managed sites.
