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Tourists walk on the sidewalk along the Hoover Dam, with construction of the dam bypass bridge seen in the background Friday, Feb. 26, 2010.
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 | 2 a.m.
ENGINEERING MARVEL
The Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge will be the first concrete-steel composite arch bridge built in the United States. It spans a 2,000-foot gorge and hovers 900 feet above the Colorado River. More than 20,000 vehicles are expected travel it each day.ATTRACTIONS
With no traffic on the Hoover Dam, one of Southern Nevada’s top attractions could be opened up for concerts and light shows. And because the bridge plan includes parking on both sides and pedestrian lanes, people can walk across as they do on San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge. About 14 percent of tourists to Southern Nevada visited areas beyond the Strip, and the Hoover Dam was the No. 1 off-Strip attraction. Nearly 800,000 people paid to tour it last year. And the Bureau of Reclamation expects those numbers to increase once the bridge is completed.Bridging The Gap
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The Federal Highway Administration on July 31, 2009, updates the process and upcoming milestones of the Hoover Dam Bypass bridge project.
A computer rendering of the completed bridge against the Hoover Dam.
Sun archive
- Hoover Dam bypass bridge inches toward completion (8-1-2009)
- Hoover Dam bypass bridge yields new approach for big rigs (6-15-2009)
- New bridge may require more emergency services (5-22-2009)
- Worker dies at Hoover Dam bypass bridge project (11-25-2008)
Related links
Sun coverage
Hoover Dam bypass bridge
After being awed by Yosemite, Esther Hanner drove alongside a man-made wonder in the making just outside Boulder City.
“We were on our way back to Nashville and we came around one of those hairpin turns at Hoover Dam and looked up and saw just those columns they had up at that time,” she recalls. “It’s amazing and good to know that people can still get together to build something incredible like that bridge.”
Ever since that June day in 2007, she has been following the progress of the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge from afar — via the Internet almost exclusively. She has been surprised and disappointed that she has seen so little national news coverage about it.
“The nation needs to know about this,” she says.
For a region that prides itself on its self-promotion and neon “Look at this!” attitude, there has been little capitalization so far on the bridge that provokes some form of “Look at that!” from just about everyone who sees it.
The Federal Highway Administration expects contractors to complete construction by Nov. 1. The span will divert all traffic off the dam, bring long-haul truckers over Black Canyon for the first time in almost a decade and should reduce travel times for tourists — unless those tourists want to stop to marvel at the bridge.
Tourism experts figure a lot of them will, and tour guides say it has the potential to be half of a one-two combination that’s a guaranteed knockout. It’s right next to one of the seven wonders of the industrial world, after all.
When construction on the bridge began, it was covered by the mainstream and travel media. Most of the stories focused on the transportation benefits such as shorter travel times for drivers and a shorter route for truckers. The increased publicity brought a few more tourists to the dam and into dependent businesses, such as hotels and restaurants in Boulder City.
And that was before there was anything to look at.
Hopes are high that the bridge’s grand opening will bring a much-needed shot of international publicity to the region.
So is the region ready to make the most of it?
Well, the companies that give tours of the dam have incorporated information about the bridge into their presentations. Some of them have incorporated photos of the bridge in their online promotional materials. Boulder City business owners are adding bridge trivia to their dam information repertoire and clamoring for better signage to lure tourists downtown. Some plan to increase their Internet marketing and hope to persuade MapQuest and Google Maps administrators to include Boulder City in online map results for the Hoover Dam.
But a large-scale industrywide plan for marketing the bridge as a tourist attraction has yet to take shape.
Professional marketers and the Boulder City Chamber of Commerce say they know the bridge opening is coming, and they know they want to optimize Southern Nevada’s exposure. But as far as a game plan, there isn’t one. At least not yet.
“We certainly recognize the value that Hoover Dam has as an attraction and have had discussions about ways we can leverage the opening of the bridge to attract new visitors to Las Vegas, and more importantly Boulder City,” Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority spokesman Vince Alberta said. “We’ll be evaluating that and making final decisions (on what to do) between now and the summer. We need to do more field research first.”
Tour operators say word hasn’t yet got out that the bridge will be more than a way around Hoover Dam’s mind-numbing traffic.
The bypass will be the first concrete-steel composite arch bridge built in the United States, and is considered something of an engineering wonder. It spans a jaw-dropping 2,000-foot gorge and hovers a breathtaking 900 feet above the Colorado River. More than 20,000 vehicles are expected to roll over the bridge each day. And because it is styled to blend in with the adjacent Hoover Dam, it’s going to be quite handsome, too.
It gets oohs and aahs from tourists visiting the dam.
“It’s very inspiring to look at,” said Earl Jobson, sales and marketing director at Pink Jeep Tours. “It’s a major architectural achievement and (the tourists) are in awe of the engineering involved in it.”
When the bridge opens, the dam will be closed to through traffic and become a full-time tourist attraction, according to Bureau of Reclamation spokesman Bob Walsh.
That opens the door to all kinds of special activities, tourism experts say.
Many people want to see the dam used as an event venue for concerts and light shows. Because the new bridge plan includes parking on both ends and pedestrian lanes, people can walk across like they do on the Golden Gate Bridge. Tourism experts say the possibilities are endless.
“The dam is a wonderful venue and without the traffic you could have all kinds of pedestrian events,” Nevada Tourism Alliance President Thomas Tait said. “There’s a good possibility of that happening.”
Marketing experts say it’s just as important to market the bypass well as it is to market it at the height of publicity. This will be the local tourism industry’s big chance to sell Southern Nevada tourism to a global audience. But they have to sell it right. It’s not enough for people to see the bridge and dam on TV and think they’re cool. They need to be persuaded to get out of the armchair and book a trip.
It helps that the dam is one of the Southern Nevada’s top attractions, Alberta said. About 14 percent of tourists to Southern Nevada visited areas beyond the Strip, and Hoover Dam was the No. 1 off-Strip attraction. Nearly 800,000 people paid to tour the Hoover Dam last year, Walsh said. And the bureau expects those numbers to increase once the bridge is completed. In 2000, before the dam was closed to truck traffic and security measures caused increases in traffic, 1.2 million people paid to tour it.
“Visiting Hoover Dam after the bridge opens should be a great experience,” Walsh said. “There will be less traffic and no construction. And we’re looking at other ways to improve the visitor experience.”
A small poster display about the bridge, and a model of it are already in the upper level of dam's visitor center, near the observation deck door. But Walsh said he was unaware of any plans for anything more than that at the dam.
His federal agency also has not yet determined how the bypass will change visitation at the dam and is evaluating whether it needs to come up with a new marketing strategy.
“In many ways it might be a much better experience because the traffic level will be down,” Walsh said. “For a lot of people, the dam is a destination. They purposefully come to do the tour. We don’t know how many people do the tours on the spur of the moment because they’re already driving over.”
But the bridge provides a way to attract more than the usual tourists. While the number of people visiting Southern Nevada has held relatively steady in recent months, they’re not spending money the way they used to. The bridge opening will be a chance to attract tourists who will stay longer and do more while they’re here, Boulder City Chamber of Commerce President Jill Lagan said.
They’re expected to want to buy O’Callaghan-Tillman Memorial Bridge refrigerator magnets, T-shirts and snow globes — if anyone has them made and is ready to sell by then.
Back in Tennessee, Hanner is just hoping someone has been putting together a documentary about the bridge construction.
“Surely someone has been doing that, haven’t they? I thought that would be the kind of thing Las Vegas would want.”
This bridge should be touted as another world wonder. Not only is it beautiful, but indeed an incredible feat of once again harnessing Black Canyon much like Boulder Dam did back in the thirties. It will certainly be a test for those who are afraid of heights! I'm sure you will get your fair share of extreme base jumpers, and possible those who don'y have a need for a parachute if you know what I mean. The pedestrian idea is great as tourists will be able to photograph a view of the dam once only available by helicopter . This is a win win all around for Las Vegas and should be all over the media!
It is pretty impressive when you see it in person... and nice to know that we still have projects of this scale being built in this country.
A great project..oh and for you people who don't think that Sen. Reid does anything for the state..you CAN at least thank him for this project!
there is no way on this planet will i drive over that bridge, imagine getting caught by a gust of wind
I remember about 4? years ago they were just beginning work on this project while doing a Hoover Dam and Grand Canyon West tour. Now it is hard to even phantom that the project will soon be almost complete; the thought of it is totally awesome!
Now just picture these crazy scenes in your mind: Folks driving over the bridge and then suddenly stop their cars (preventing the flow of traffic), jump out of their vehicles to take in that marvelous view and snap that photo opportunity! Imagine if one could experience the beauty of a distant view during the evening of the LV Strip's lights? Or how about the driver who enters onto the bridge, reaches the span's mid-point, totally freezes and freaks out whereas, they become too afraid to complete the crossing to the other end! I sincerely hope the bridge's sides are screened off to prevent the nuts from attempting "you know what."
All in all folks, the bridge is indeed a beautiful "Wonder of the World"!
This little town "White Hills" will be great again
after the silver bonanza. Willow Beach,Temple Bar
will be rediscovered. A great area for retirement
with fresh air and open space.
went down to see the bridge this weekend. Only one segment left of the roadway. Can't wait to drive across it and then walk across it. I hope there is a high rail though, because of the wind gusts. Kudos to the design team for making such a beautiful bridge. [Of course in the usual Nevada way, the connection between the bridge and I-515 is nowhere in sight. Maybe before the 22nd century we can get that done too.]
environprotector,
The fact is you won't be able to see the Dam as you are crossing the bridge. It is too high.
Ten years to build. Only took 3 years to build the dam 65 years ago. That's modern technology for you.
I don't know about you suebee, but if I'm going to be driving over a bridge hundreds of feet high in this city - I don't care how long it takes to build, just that its safe. =)
Those of us in Boulder City are not thrilled to see this bridge open. It will mean thousands of trucks coming through town and causing accidents, pollution and noise. This bridge is a monument to lack of regional transportation planning.
I don't see any reason why a Boulder City by-pass truck route couldn't be considered. It's true truck traffic is hard on the roads, ears, and automobiles which get tangled up with them. In California truck routes are all over the place.
Anyone ever seen the movie "Cars"? If a boulder city bypass is built, the City may just become the next Radiator Springs. But if they want to be avoided altogether that's fine with me. It would save me time heading to Arizona, no more slowing down for a bump in the road with lots of ticket happy cops.
I think the bridge is needed badly and am glad it is being built.
AND
Boulder City is one of the nicest little gems in Nevada and some of you folks diss someone who protests the loss of lifestyle in Boulder....one of you even used an offensive word to describe a Boulder City post.
I think you ought to apologize (if you don't think that then it just shows, well...)
The one thing no one mentioned is that the easy access will ruin Temple Bar and Cottonwood for those of us who hate crowded camps and waters. I like to get away from the "new" Vegas but this will bring it to Arizona too easily. Plus the homes projected out in the desert will end up being one more messy crowded water hogging cardboard development. It will also pretty well ruin the top end of Lake Mojave and the colorado river below Boulder Dam due to the rich sub morons OOPS (offensive comment) I mean jack...es in huge power boats that will now access it more quickly.
Markp.......Afraid?...Google some bridges and then tell me about afraid. That bridge looks like a cake walk to me. I took that bus tour to the Dam many years ago on a bus....OMG!!! The way to handle your fear,do what I do....close your eyes real tight...point the car in a straight line for the bridge and floor the gas pedal.you'll be over it before you know it...though you might give hundreds of drivers heart attacks along with your passengers.(grin)
my plan to live/retire las v and another thing to see along with helping transit like phoenix folks coming to town for the weeekend.
I LOVE Boulder City and agree that something should be done about the truck traffic. Why ruin(as another person referred to it as ) Nevada's little gem!
Do any of those trucks stop in Boulder city and buy anything? Gas, food, lodging,casino, etc? You may get a boost in your economy by having come thru town.
I at one time was driving cross country but, no longer. I gave up my class A license to no longer drive an 18 wheeler ever again. I have over a million miles and no accidents and could get hired by any company with my experience but, I opted to never drive again. Anyone thinking of driving for a career should consider it closely. Away from home at months at a time. You do not really make that much money being gone for so long it averages out to 1.00 to 1.50 per hour and you are mistreated by police, and even shippers and receivers who see all truck drivers as pieces of trash even though most try to deliver their freight on time no matter what the weather or traffic or road conditions are like. Truck drivers are not respected even by their companies who treat them just as bad as the police, shippers and receivers because most dispatchers or the company will withhold freight for their favorite drivers. I use to make good money and it was before the recession and it probably is worse now than before. Try running a distance of 550 miles to find out that the truck stop is full and you cannot find a parking space. You are forced to drive on.... to find another area to park you come across a rest stop you find it full you cannot park and forced to drive on... you park on the side of the freeway for some sleep and while sleeping a highway patrol knocks on your door and tells you that you cannot park on the side of the road and tells you to move on.. you find a city, and try to park on the street you cannot because city ordinance tells you to move on no truck parking so you drive on... you find a 24 hour walmart so you try to park in their parking lot but, they build barriers to prevent trucks from parking... same goes from every parking lot and area... your forced to go without sleep driving on... and still you deliver the freight to the customers with on time delivery but, after delivery your so exhausted you fall asleep in your cab only to be told you cannot stay but to continue to drive on... This is the life of a truck driver...
whoops wrong article!!!!
The biggest problem with the Boulder City bypass is that their residents have delayed every proposal so far. The bypass proposal would cut through the southern edge of town close to residential areas with some very expensive homes. Those homeowners don't want the noise from a freeway close by so they protest.
Fight it and clog the only road into/out of town. That's the ticket.
Phase 1 involves an ignorant expensive interchange to get around the Railroad Pass casino. The highway will cost more than the casino is worth. The state should just buy the casino and bulldoze it and you won't need to rebuild the highway. Then they could rebuild the casino in a better location and have a new building to boot.
http://www.bouldercitybypass.com/phase1....
The cost of phase 1 will keep phase 2 from being built for quite some time.