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Grand Canyon Needs Millions In Repairs While Facing Record Visitorship

Grand Canyon National Park officials say the park could exceed last year’s record of more than 5 million visitors but advocates are worried about the park’s infrastructure.

The park has more than $300 million in deferred maintenance projects.

According to Cronkite News, one park advocate says the water system is a major source of concern. A Grand Canyon official says repairs are being made sections at a time, and the park will be ready as the National Park Service celebrates its centennial.

KJZZ senior field correspondent Kathy Ritchie has 20 years of experience reporting and writing stories for national and local media outlets — nearly a decade of it has been spent in public media.