A mysterious collapse of the main route between Page, Ariz. and the Grand Canyon may take months to repair. The collapse happened last Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013 near an area ironically known as “The Big Cut.”
The road had since been closed between the intersections of Highways 89 and 89A and 98 in Page. Fortunately, only a handful of people who passed through the area before it closed were able to walk away with minor injuries.
Forces of nature versus the Big Cut
According to the Arizona Department of Transportation website, the cause of the collapse is not weather-related but rather may be due to a geologic event. Geologists and engineers dispatched to the area will examine the cause of the collapse before any repairs get underway. Tim Tate, Arizona Department of Transportation spokesperson, says this section of the road may take a long time to repair and will be an expensive endeavor.
Alternate routes
Alternate routes between Page and the Grand Canyon send commuters 45 miles out of their way. According to the Arizona Daily Sun, school children belonging to the Page Unified School District living on the other side of the Big Cut will have an hour longer commute, as their bus would have to travel on dirt roads to get to Page.
Comments