Colorado River at Hoover Dam

[Grizzly]

We drove across the Colorado River Bypass at Hoover Dam last week. What used to take us over an hour before we did in a matter of minutes on this new 4 lane divided highway. The bridge is called, Mike O'Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge. Awesome.



Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge Click on rendering for larger view.





george

 

[Regcabguy]

My friend drove across that bridge over Thanksgiving. Amazing structure. According to him,unless you were driving a semi you can't see anything to the sides due to barriers set up. More 9/11 precautions?

 

[Grizzly]

My friend drove across that bridge over Thanksgiving. Amazing structure. According to him,unless you were driving a semi you can't see anything to the sides due to barriers set up. More 9/11 precautions?

That's true. It was a little disappointing not be able to see anything, however we did see the new bridge in April, which was still under construction, when we drove across the dam. I had my wife drive so that I could take pictures both times. I didn't get many pictures this time.



george

 

[goodguys75]

I live in vegas and have not seen it live yet..... but i seen on t. v and looks awsome!!!!

 

[jelag]

Is there a turn out on either end so you can walk across or stop and take photo's??

 

[Grizzly]

Hi Jim, no turn outs. You can, however, take the scenic route, which is the old road across the dam. We didn't take the scenic route and we we didn't go back that way from Las Vegas because we went to San Diego.



george

 

[MMeier]

Is there a turn out on either end so you can walk across or stop and take photo's??

Jim, on the Nevada side there is a small parking lot you can park in ... . just past the checkpoint... and go walk the thing. I did a few weeks back, and I'm afraid of heights !! Just have to use the "Hoover Dam " exit off the new road now. Here are a few pics I took with the cell phone, just happened to catch the paddlewheeler on its lunch time cruise as it was turning around ! White bathtub ring is where the lake has dropped 130' in the last decade... telling ya', Vegas is going to be a ghost town before long !

 

[RHestand]

We drove over the dam just over a year ago while the bridge was still under construction. At that time they had both sides up and suspended in midair, with about a 100 ft. section in the middle not installed yet. I'm sure they all new what they were doing, but it all looked very precarious and dangerous. Like a strong wind could blow the whole thing away? Quite a project!
Also, thanks for the great pictures, and I was pleasantly surprised to see Pat Tillman honored for his ultimate sacrifice.

 

[Grunt]

My next trip down that way will be by that route. . last time I crossed the dam was in '68



Great pictures!!

 

[MLee]

I have been wondering if-- a big wind comes up will they shut down the bridge?

Because when they started construction a big wind came up and blow some crane Gantries down, delaying construction till they were replaced.

What a construction spectacle!! Its what-1200' above the water? Some people say they will travel the old route, they don't like Heights.

 

[Joseph Donnelly]

The websites, news reports say you can't drive over the dam anymore. I think the "barriers" are to prevent cars from flipping over and landing in the water 900 ft. below. Arizona is still making 93 a 4 lane for the 17 miles south of the dam. That should be completed soon. Then after all 4 lane road driving north, you dump onto 2 lanes at the Hacienda casino.

 

[MMeier]

I have been wondering if-- a big wind comes up will they shut down the bridge?

Because when they started construction a big wind came up and blow some crane Gantries down, delaying construction till they were replaced.

What a construction spectacle!! Its what-1200' above the water? Some people say they will travel the old route, they don't like Heights.

Yes, they will shut it down if the wind gets out of hand. Something they 'expect' to happen like 16-20 days a year. 900' above the river !

 

[MMeier]

The websites, news reports say you can't drive over the dam anymore. I think the "barriers" are to prevent cars from flipping over and landing in the water 900 ft. below. Arizona is still making 93 a 4 lane for the 17 miles south of the dam. That should be completed soon. Then after all 4 lane road driving north, you dump onto 2 lanes at the Hacienda casino.

Joe, according to the news, its all supposed to be done as of last week. Maybe I'll take a cruise down to Kingman and check it out myself. Also, you're supposed to be able to go from Nv. to Az. across the dam, but not from Az. to Nv.

 

[Grizzly]

Joe, according to the news, its all supposed to be done as of last week. Maybe I'll take a cruise down to Kingman and check it out myself. Also, you're supposed to be able to go from Nv. to Az. across the dam, but not from Az. to Nv.

We drove from Arizona into Nevada 9 days ago over the new bridge. We saw some cars driving over the old road, which is now called the scenic route. It's all completed on the Arizona side and mostly completed on the Nevada side, except for a small stretch past the new bridge, which bottlenecks from 2 lanes to one lane.



george

 

[Grizzly]

Pictures of the new bridge taken on 28 Nov 10. The 1st is on the Nevada side coming off the bridge. The 3rd pic is on the bridge. 4 and 5 are on the Arizona side approaching the bridge. Not sure about the 2nd pic, maybe on the Nevada side.



george

 

[JMetzger]

If the old route across the dam is still open is there still an inspection station there?

 

[Grizzly]

If the old route across the dam is still open is there still an inspection station there?

I'm sure there would be an inspection station. The dam is still a potential security risk. How about a risk to the new bridge?

 

[jelag]

My boy works for the Corp of Engineers on the Columbia River System... . his thoughts are that the Corp will now stop all crossings over the dam... or we should say, the TSA who are worried an attack that is well engineered could take out the dam... .

They've put up whats called 30 30 barricades... ones that will stop 30K lbs @ 30 MPH...

As most of you know... you knock out a bridge and a few people die. . you take out a dam of this size and a huge number might die down river... .

We'll be that way in late Jan or early Feb... and stop to take photos... is the lot on the NV side large enough for a PU w/5er?

 

[MMeier]

My boy works for the Corp of Engineers on the Columbia River System... . his thoughts are that the Corp will now stop all crossings over the dam... or we should say, the TSA who are worried an attack that is well engineered could take out the dam... .



They've put up whats called 30 30 barricades... ones that will stop 30K lbs @ 30 MPH...



As most of you know... you know out a bridge and a few people die. . you take out a dam of this size and a huge number might die down river... .



We'll be that way in late Jan or early Feb... and stop to take photos... is the lot on the NV side large enough for a PU w/5er?

At least when I was there the first week it was opened, it was barely big enough to get the '93 into a spot with out doing a 4 point turn !#@$%! Heck, depending when you come through we could meet up and park it at the Hacienda or something and go down in my rig, just give me some notice ! Don't see how they can close down the dam to all traffic, too much $$$ to be made off tours and such. And trying to think what exactly is downstream besides Laughlin .....

 

[NIsaacs]

Bullhead City, Lake Havasu City, Parker and Yuma. Plus several dams along the way.



Years ago I did the tour of the dam, kinda scary walking in the dim lit concrete tunnel (water dripping out of the cracks) to the generator room, they are huge.



Nick