Wallenda to tightrope walk over Niagara Falls

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A daredevil will become the first in more than a century to attempt to cross the gorge at Niagara Falls on a tightrope, after the Niagara Parks Commission on Wednesday authorized the stunt.

The Canadian commission reversed its decision in December to deny Nik Wallenda's request to perform the stunt after hearing from the high-wire artist that it could generate significant economic returns for the region.

New York state and the mayor of Niagara Falls, New York had already agreed to it, so the Canadian commission's permission was the last obstacle.

"This decision was approved in part in recognition of the role that stunting has played in the history and promotion of Niagara Falls," Niagara Parks Commission chair Janice Thomson said in a statement.

This is ‘a very unique one-time situation,’ she added, saying the commission would only consider such stunting proposals once every 20 years.

The last person to cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope was James Hardy in 1896.

Wallenda, 33, is a seventh-generation member of the famous family of circus acrobats and daredevil stunt performers, the Flying Wallendas, best known for performing high-wire acts without safety nets.

Wallenda reportedly hopes to walk across a two-inch (five centimeter) wide, 1,500-feet (450-meter) long wire anchored on each of the Canadian and US sides of the massive falls, while a rescue helicopter and dive teams stand by.

The tightrope walk, which could take up to 45 minutes, is expected to take place in the summer of 2012. It is estimated the stunt could generate Can$120 million (US$120 million) in economic impacts.