Letter: Ban trucks on dam permanently

Tuesday, Oct. 9, 2001 | 8:46 a.m.

The terrorist attack in New York caused an immediate ban on all trucks on Hoover Dam because of its strategic importance.

The truck traffic is now flowing south on U.S. 95 to Laughlin and Needles, to Interstate 40 in Kingman. I drove this route on Oct. 3 and, although there were some slowdowns, traffic was usually 60 mph and no problems.

There might be no other location as important to the Southwest as Hoover Dam. Trucks, which could be loaded with any type of terrorist weapon, including a small nuclear warhead or some toxic / biohazard chemicals, should never again be allowed near Hoover Dam or the Colorado River at Black Canyon with the steep, inaccessible cliffs.

Yet in response to the new recognition of national security at Hoover Dam, Sen. Harry Reid, Clark County Commissioner Bruce Woodbury and other politicians are recommending a fast-track building of a new bridge right next to Hoover Dam. This is not only stupid, it is a reflection of the influence of construction money lobbyists and the trucking industry on our politicians. This is like building instant access to the target.

The Southern Nevada Group of the Sierra Club has contacted both the FBI and the new Office of Homeland Security and recommended that the ban on trucks near Hoover Dam be permanent. The trucks are now successfully driving to Laughlin and a new small express bridge at Laughlin could be quickly built for less than half the price of a bridge next to Hoover Dam.

This is not good pork politics, but it is the safe and right answer.

FRED DEXTER, Boulder City

Editor's note: The writer is chairman of the Hoover Dam Bypass Committee for the Southern Nevada Group of the Sierra Club.