Bypass project on track

Governors celebrate two-year anniversary

Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn and Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano headed a field of top elected and federal officials who gathered at the Hoover Dam Visitors Center, Oct. 20, to mark the two-year anniversary of the Hoover Dam Bypass project and the final $90 million piece of the financial puzzle that will allow for construction of the 2,000-foot Colorado River Bridge to span the Black Canyon gorge.

The state's top two representatives celebrated each state's commitment of up to $50 million in bond funding to assure construction of the composite concrete deck arch bridge 1,700 feet downstream from the dam.

"The Nevada Department of Transportation and the people of (Nevada) are proud to make this commitment to help complete the Hoover Dam Bypass," said Jeff Fontaine, the director of NDOT.

Attendees heard that the 2.2 miles of Nevada Approach four-lane highway that was started in October 2003 could be completed as early as the spring of next year, which would be as much as eight months ahead of schedule.

On the other side of the river, the 1.4-mile, four-lane Arizona Approach is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

Construction of the bridge itself is expected to start next month and is expected to be completed in late 2007 or early 2008 with the complete bypass ready for motorists sometime in 2008.

"This is a highly challenging project and one we are confident the construction industry can meet," said Dave Zanetell, project manager for the Hoover Dam Bypass, adding, "just as they have excelled on the Nevada and Arizona Approaches."

The $234 million necessary for the entire project has come piecemeal from the federal government in the form of 12 different funding allocations worth $104 million, Nevada and Arizona highway funds and bonds in the amount of $60 million from each of the states.

In addition to the roadwork, the Western Area Power Administration completed transmission line and switchyard changes as of May 1 and construction crews have salvaged more than 4,000 healthy cactus plants for future use.

The project also calls for nine wildlife crossings for bighorn sheep and other species, which will be fully functional when the two approaches are complete.

The $30.1 million Nevada Approach is being constructed by Edward Kraemer & Sons, Inc. while the $21.5 million Arizona Approach is being built by R. E. Monks Construction and Vastco, Inc.


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