Hoover Dam bypass bridge, a symbol of American ingenuity

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of dedicating the Mike O'Callaghan - Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge, part of the Hoover Dam Bypass project. Now, I've visited a lot of projects and attended a lot of ceremonies during the past 20 months, and I can safely say, This bridge is something.

Federal Highway Administrator Victor Mendez and I were accompanied by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, US Senator Harry Reid, US Representative Dina Titus, many of the bridge's construction workers, and the families of the two American heroes for which the bridge is named.

The new O'Callaghan-Tillman Bridge stands 890 feet above the Colorado River

This majestic bridge is the longest of its kind in the Western Hemisphere. It rests on the tallest precast concrete columns ever constructed. And it reaffirms a powerful idea: Americans can still build great things not just in spite of enormous economic challenge, but as the means of overcoming it.

As Patrick Tillman, Pat's father, said, "It is an impressive piece of work."

That, of course, is something of an understatement. After all, we're talking about a 1,900-foot bridge whose central arch reaches more than 1,000 feet--a bridge standing nearly 900 feet above the Colorado River and composed of 16 million pounds of steel, 30,000 cubic yards of concrete, and 2 million feet of cable.

But, beyond the materials, I am overwhelmed by the human achievement the bridge embodies--engineers, crane operators, and concrete workers. Like the Hoover Dam, 1,500 feet upriver from the new bridge, this marvel is a monument to America's can-do spirit.

The existing crossing, over the dam itself, required security checkpoints that caused extensive traffic jams and required commercial trucks to take a 75-mile detour. The O'Callaghan-Tillman Bridge creates a shorter commercial route and a more efficient crossing for other vehicles.

In solving the problems of the clogged Hoover Dam crossing, we have demonstrated once again our ability to tackle a complex challenge with American ingenuity and dedication. We can still dream big. We can roll up our sleeves and make this nation's infrastructure the envy of the world once again.

And, just as the renewal of our infrastructure through Recovery Act projects was step one in that critical process, President Obama is committed to doing even more with the $50 billion initiative he announced on Labor Day and reaffirmed last Monday.

That landmark investment will rebuild 150,000 miles of roadway, lay or upgrade 4,000 miles of rail, and restore 150 miles of runway. And it will create the jobs we know America needs.

Hooever Dam in foreground with new bridge beyond

Look, the Hoover Dam was itself an engineering and construction wonder. But the new bridge reminds us that our nation cannot live off yesterday's investments. It reminds us that a 21st century economy requires 21st century infrastructure.

And it reminds us that daring projects don't just solve today's problems; they create tomorrow's possibilities.

Comments

[Doug House, M.Ed.]

Are there bike-pedestrian lanes on this majestic piece of roadway or will Hoover Dam roadway become "separated" bike-ped passageway?

[Dianne Gilbertson]

I had the same question after reading this!

[BillB]

That is a stunning bridge! Congrats to everyone for a fine achievement.
Here in Portland we badly need a bridge over the Columbia connecting Mexico to Canada. The CRC project is stuck for lack of leadership and vision. I have proposed that we add a Park Roof to the bridge design , which will pay for itself! The Park Roof will absorb all the pollution runoff and create a world class tourist destination.
Mr. Secretary , please visit my article at the link below. It is my hope you will take this to the President , and propose we do this all over the Country !

http://www.portlandtribune.com/sustainable/story.php?story_id=127810849697704800

[Lee]

After the bridge opens to traffic on an unannounced day next week, people will still be able to walk across the span to admire the Hoover Dam, but will have to stay on a sidewalk that is only accessible from a small parking area near the dam.

[johnson]

the bridge is amazing.it's finally done after year works.the tallest bridge in US i think.

[Terry Kohler - Vetrepreneur]

Previously working on a 16,000-mile fiber optic job, this is a piece of work. Great job. I am sure that measures are in place to protect it.

[Brenda Cooper]

congratulation!

Please continue to forge ahead, this is the change I VOTED FOR! I am glad Nay-sayer can't stop the great works being achieved, wish are much needed in our country, keep-up the great works.

Thanks

[Mark (Handy Backup team)]

The brige is spectacular. Great work. It's a symbol of American ingenuity.

[Lori Freemire, U.S. entrepreneur and tax payer]

"A monument to America's can-do spirit" indeed! Yes, our infrastructure in the US is in critical need of updating, and the funds provided do put people to work. I am appalled, however, that the contractor who was awarded the project is a Japanese joint venture company formed in order to bid on this project in 2004 (Obayashi and PS Mitsubishi). "American ingenuity": I believe that these funds being paid by us, the taxpayers, should only be awarded to US companies. We DO have qualified firms in our own country, do we not?

[winobert]

A monument to America's can-do spirit" indeed!

[Milton Chapman]

He might have not asked the people who live by the bridge why they are complaning about the bridge and the traffic coming from it how about checking before bragging about some thing that was done long before he took office. Just like the a politician. Now that the bridge is open the locals are complaing about the trucks why do they think they built the bridge so it would look pretty looking out there fancy homes .