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| Grand Canyon glass Skywalk opens | Grand Canyon glass Skywalk opens |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The Grand Canyon's Skywalk has been inaugurated with hundreds of invited guests getting stunning views over the canyon through its glass walkway. | The Grand Canyon's Skywalk has been inaugurated with hundreds of invited guests getting stunning views over the canyon through its glass walkway. |
| Rising 4,000ft (1,220m) from the canyon's floor and 70ft (20m) beyond its rim, the Skywalk is being described as an engineering first. | Rising 4,000ft (1,220m) from the canyon's floor and 70ft (20m) beyond its rim, the Skywalk is being described as an engineering first. |
| The Hualapai Indians, who own the site, are hoping to attract visitors to a high unemployment area. | The Hualapai Indians, who own the site, are hoping to attract visitors to a high unemployment area. |
| But some tribal members say this is a desecration of sacred ground. | But some tribal members say this is a desecration of sacred ground. |
| Former astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin was among the first to go onto the walkway to join Hualapai leaders for a brief ceremony. | Former astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin was among the first to go onto the walkway to join Hualapai leaders for a brief ceremony. |
| How the Skywalk measures up to other constructions | How the Skywalk measures up to other constructions |
| "I felt wonderful, not exactly floating on air ... but a vision of hope for the future," he said afterwards, quoted by Reuters news agency. | "I felt wonderful, not exactly floating on air ... but a vision of hope for the future," he said afterwards, quoted by Reuters news agency. |
| The BBC's Andy Gallacher, who also went on the Skywalk, says the glass beneath his feet was so clear it was like walking on a cloud. | The BBC's Andy Gallacher, who also went on the Skywalk, says the glass beneath his feet was so clear it was like walking on a cloud. |
| href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/player/nol/newsid_6460000/newsid_6469300?redirect=6469323.stm&news=1&nbwm=1&nbram=1&bbram=1&bbwm=1">Aerial views Sightseers gathered on the edge of the gorge to watch the ceremony. | |
| "It's going to go down in the history books but I'm not sure I will walk out on it," said Joan Stewart, a bookmaker from Las Vegas. | "It's going to go down in the history books but I'm not sure I will walk out on it," said Joan Stewart, a bookmaker from Las Vegas. |
| Construction of the Skywalk began in March 2004 - and will open to the public on 28 March with 120 people allowed on the platform at any one time. | Construction of the Skywalk began in March 2004 - and will open to the public on 28 March with 120 people allowed on the platform at any one time. |
| The bridge will be able to sustain winds in excess of 100mph (161km/h), as well as an 8.0-magnitude earthquake within 50 miles (80.5km). | The bridge will be able to sustain winds in excess of 100mph (161km/h), as well as an 8.0-magnitude earthquake within 50 miles (80.5km). |
| Las Vegas businessman David Jin raised the money to build the Skywalk which was given to the Hualapai in exchange for a percentage of the profits. | Las Vegas businessman David Jin raised the money to build the Skywalk which was given to the Hualapai in exchange for a percentage of the profits. |
| "When we have so much poverty and so much unemployment, we have to do something," Sheri Yellowhawk, told the Associated Press news agency. | "When we have so much poverty and so much unemployment, we have to do something," Sheri Yellowhawk, told the Associated Press news agency. |
| "It sounded like a good idea." | "It sounded like a good idea." |
| Our correspondent says that, for the majority, this is an investment that will bring much needed cash. | Our correspondent says that, for the majority, this is an investment that will bring much needed cash. |
| But some members of the Hualapai tribe have voiced concerns that the project will disturb sacred lands. | But some members of the Hualapai tribe have voiced concerns that the project will disturb sacred lands. |
| "When that Skywalk came about it hit me like I was being stabbed," said Dolores Honga, a tribal elder. | "When that Skywalk came about it hit me like I was being stabbed," said Dolores Honga, a tribal elder. |
| Click to return | Click to return |
| Are you planning to visit the platform? Send us your comments. If you take any pictures of the view you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk. | Are you planning to visit the platform? Send us your comments. If you take any pictures of the view you can send them to yourpics@bbc.co.uk. |