The Hualapai Tribe of Arizona is breaking ground today on a $25 million road project that will benefit the Grand Canyon Skywalk, its popular tourist attraction.

The final ride to the Skywalk, which draws thousands of people to the reservation, is a dirt road. Paving the road will offer a smoother experience.

"The tribe is very, very happy, ecstatic about finally moving ahead with this road, and they anticipate quite a bit of growth in numbers once it’s completed,” Erin Forrest, a tribal employee, told the Associated Press.

The groundbreaking comes as the tribe celebrates a victory in a dispute with the former non-Indian operator of the Skywalk. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that developer David Jin must go through the tribal court system.

Get the Story:
Tribe starts yearlong project to pave last stretch of dirt road to Grand Canyon Skywalk (AP 4/29)
Tribal courts equipped to handle business disputes, says 9th Circuit (Capitol Media Services 4/27)
Skywalk feud sent to Tribal Court (The Arizona Republic 4/27)
Tribal Court Awaits Spat Over Canyon Skywalk (Courthouse News Service 4/26)

9th Circuit Decision:
Grand Canyon Skywalk v. Sa Nyu Wa (April 26, 2013)

Related Stories:
9th Circuit rules for Hualapai Tribe in Skywalk business dispute (4/26)
Blog: Hualapai Tribe locked in Grand Canyon business feud (3/25)
Law Article: Hualapai tribal bankruptcy case raises new issues (03/14)
Hualapai Tribe recalls leaders from office in business dispute (3/8)
Hualapai Tribe seeks bankruptcy protection in business dispute (3/6)
Hualapai Tribe takes control of another business on reservation (3/4)
Hualapai Tribe to appeal decision in $28.5M business dispute (2/27)
Sherry Counts: Hualapai Tribe remains open for all business (2/25)