The view may terrify you, but there's no cause for alarm. The Skywalk, which juts out into the air some 4,000 feet above the Grand Canyon floor, promises to be as safe as a trip to the fridge. The super-strong structure is anchored to four bedrock footings with 88 steel rods. Altogether, the steel and glass Skywalk can support 34,000 tons (think 71 fully loaded Boeing 747s). It's designed to handle 100-mph winds and withstand a magnitude-7 earthquake.
The $30 million project, backed by businessman David Jin and the Hualapai Tribe, is slated to open this summer. It's an effort to attract some of the 4 million tourists who visit the south rim of the Big Ditch every year. The Skywalk will be part of a complex on the west rim that includes the Hualapai Ranch and Indian Village, which will offer dining, shopping, and Native American exhibits and entertainment. A stroll on the Skywalk will cost $25. At least the sunsets are still free.
- Sean Hamilton Alexander
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