Hoover Dam Bypass

Frequently Asked Questions

Q.		DOES THE COLORADO RIVER BRIDGE HAVE A NAME?
A.		Yes, the United States Congress officially named it the “Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge” after two prominent local citizens who dedicated themselves to public service and the greater good. Mike O’Callaghan was a longtime Nevadan, former Governor, community leader, and businessman. He died in March 2004 at the age of 74. Pat Tillman graduated with honors from ASU and played professional football for the Arizona Cardinals before joining the Army. He was killed in Afghanistan in 2004 at the age of 27.
Q.		WHEN WILL THE HOOVER DAM BYPASS BE FULLY COMPLETE?
A.		Construction of the Colorado River Bridge is now complete, and the Bypass has had traffic moving on it as of October 19, 2010.
Q.		WHAT IS THE BUDGET FOR THE HOOVER DAM BYPASS AND WHERE DOES THE MONEY COME FROM?
A.		The design and construction budget remains unchanged at $240 million. The Colorado River Bridge construction portion of that budget is $114 million. The $240 million budget consists of $100 million in federal funds, $20 million each from the states of Arizona and Nevada, and $100 million in state bond funds. Of the approximate $130 million in bond funds ($100 million plus interest) advanced by the states of Arizona and Nevada, approximately $96.3 million has been repaid.
Q.		HOW MANY PHASES OF CONSTRUCTION HAVE OCCURRED ON THE BYPASS?
A.		There have been six distinct, yet overlapping, phases of Bypass construction: Relocation of portions of the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) transmission system and switchyard Arizona approach – 2 miles of bypass roadway Nevada approach – 3 miles of bypass roadway Colorado River Bridge Interim surfacing of Bypass Final surfacing and roadway tie-ins
Q.		WHAT ARE SOME KEY FACTS ABOUT THE COLORADO RIVER BRIDGE?
A.		The arch span is 1,060 feet long The Bridge is 1,900 feet long The Bridge deck and sidewalk is located approximately 900 feet above the Colorado River The Bridge is located approximately 1,500 feet south of the Hoover Dam
Q.		WILL THERE BE A SIDEWALK ON THE COLORADO RIVER BRIDGE?
A.		Yes, it is located on the north side of the Bridge for optimum viewing of the Hoover Dam. The sidewalk is part of the pedestrian and visitor amenities, which include a parking lot, trail, and interpretive plaza.
Q.		WILL THERE BE A CELEBRATION WHEN THE HOOVER DAM BYPASS IS COMPLETE?
A.		Yes. There was a public event on Saturday, October 16th, called Bridging America. You can read more about this event at: http://www.celebratehooverbridge.com/.
Q.		ARE THERE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE HOOVER DAM BYPASS CONSTRUCTION AND ARE THEY AVAILABLE FOR USE BY THE PUBLIC?
A.		Yes, they are available on the website, www.hooverdambypass.org. Please provide photo credit to the Federal Highway Administration, Central Federal Lands Highway Division (FHWA/CFLHD).
Q.		WHO HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN THE PROJECT LEADERSHIP?
A.		The Project Management Team (PMT), a multi-agency stakeholder team, oversees the Hoover Dam Bypass Project. The Central Federal Lands Division of the Federal Highway Administration leads the PMT and is responsible for the direct management and oversight of all design and construction activities. Many of the consulting and contracting industries’ finest are engaged in this project. The PMT consists of the Arizona and Nevada Departments of Transportation, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, the National Park Service, and the Western Area Power Administration.
Q.		WILL THERE BE A TOLL FOR VEHICLES USING THE HOOVER DAM BYPASS?
A.		No, this is not a toll road.
Q.		WHY DO WE NEED A NEW RIVER CROSSING ALONG U.S. 93?
A.		There are several reasons for developing an alternative to using the top of the Hoover Dam as the main crossing of the Colorado River: The current two-lane highway across the dam, U.S. 93, can no longer adequately handle the 14,000 vehicles and trucks crossing per day, double the volume of 15 years ago. This section of highway is narrow, winding and steep - inadequate and unsafe for the volume of traffic. There is no other route in the western states that can efficiently accommodate this traffic. The current highway conditions pose a potentially dangerous situation to Hoover Dam visitors and the dam facilities.
Q.		WHY IS THIS ROUTE SO IMPORTANT TO THE U.S. ECONOMY?
A.		U.S. 93 is on the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) route between Mexico and Canada, and it is also the major commercial route between the states of Arizona, Nevada, and Utah. With delays and potential closures (from accidents) on this section of highway, industry around the country suffers from loss of time and money in transporting goods and services.
Q.		WILL A NEW RIVER CROSSING ACCOMMODATE PRESENT AND FUTURE TRAFFIC VOLUMES?
A.		The new river crossing will be designed as a new four-lane highway that will safely accommodate present and future traffic volumes that rely on the U.S. 93 Colorado River crossing.
Q.		WHEN THE NEW CROSSING IS BUILT, WILL THE EXISTING ROADWAY ON THE DAM REMAIN OPEN FOR PUBLIC TRAFFIC?
A.		The present roadway will remain open to Hoover Dam visitors. However, through traffic and truck traffic will not be permitted on the dam.
Q.		WHAT ARE THE TRAFFIC RESTRICTIONS FOR VEHICLES CROSSING THE DAM?
A.		Information regarding current traffic restrictions on the Hoover Dam can be found on the US Bureau of Reclamation website.
Q.		WHO "OWNS" THE HOVER DAM?
A.		The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, a bureau within the United States Department of Interior, owns the Hoover Dam and its facilities. Prior to the construction of the Bypass, U.S. 93 used the top of the Hoover Dam to cross the Colorado River. This crossing and the highway approaches on both the Nevada and Arizona sides are currently maintained by the Federal government. Because of the federal ownership of the river crossing, federal highway funding for a new river crossing was being pursued. Long-term maintenance and ownership of a new river crossing will be the responsibility of the state DOTs.