September 6, 2007 - Congressman Trent Franks (AZ-02) today announced a federal grant in the amount of $22.8 million for debt service payments for the Hoover Dam bypass bridge.  Built in 1936, the existing portion of US 93 over the dam in Arizona and Nevada is the only road still shut down to commercial traffic due to September 11.

“Ensuring the completion of the Hoover Dam Bypass Project has been one of my most critical priorities for Arizona since coming to Congress in 2003, and this grant marks a major benchmark as we continue working toward that end.” Franks said.  “On 9/11, it became even clearer that constructing an alternative route around Hoover Dam was absolutely critical to avoid it being targeted for terrorism; but in the meantime, more lives are lost on the current stretch of highway near the dam than any other portion of that road.  This is absolutely tragic; and I have stressed the importance of the construction of the bypass bridge many times to Secretary Mary Peters and the Department of Transportation, both for the sake of local and national security. 

“I’m convinced that in helping to complete the Bypass Project, this grant will not only alleviate serious traffic congestion, but ultimately it will protect the lives of our citizens, which should be the foremost priority of the federal government.”

The Hoover Dam Bypass project is designed to solve the significant congestion and safety problems on US 93, the primary artery for travel between Phoenix and Las Vegas.  Currently the accident rate is three times higher in the vicinity of Hoover dam than the rest of the highway.  The bypass bridge is currently projected to open to traffic in late 2010.  Over 17,000 vehicles will use the bypass each day once completed.

The bridge portion of the bypass has been named The Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge.