New Hoover Dam Bridge Between Nevada and Arizona Opens to the Public - VIDEO ENHANCED

Editors Note: For those TACH'ers who think that you can "see" this marvel by just driving over it are very wrong, because from the road this new wonder of the world structure looks and feels like every other ordinary overpass. The only way to appreciate the magnitude of the project is to walk across it as I did. As of October 22 there were no road signs directing drivers to the bridge parking area, which is located just before the Hoover Dam visitors center...so those of you who want to see it for themselves must use the Hoover Dam Visitors Center exit...it's worth the trip.

For years traffic between Las Vegas and Arizona used the road that was originally built on top of the Hoover Dam. Trucks and cars used this road until 9/11 when trucks were banned and had to take another longer route to go east. So after great concern that the Hoover Dam could be a target of Muslim terrorists several of America's most important pieces of infrastructure were re-designed or re-built, including the new Hoover Dam bypass Bridge, which replaced the dam-top roadway.

LAS VEGAS - October 21, 2010: The Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge will add not only a more efficient route to Southern Nevada from Arizona, but it will also be a dramatic attraction for visitors.

According to research from the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, the Hoover Dam is one of the most-visited attractions by travelers to Las Vegas. Of the 14 percent of Las Vegas travelers visiting nearby attractions, more than half reported going to the dam.

Combined with the Hoover Dam, this area will be one of the most stunning views in the area. The architectural wonder spans 1,900 feet across the canyon and sits more than 900 feet above the Colorado River. The bridge is located 1,500 feet south of Hoover Dam. The bridge will provide a more direct route for U.S. Highway 93 over the canyon and relieve Hoover Dam of traffic congestion.

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This bridge is also a first step in the proposed Interstate Highway 11 between Phoenix and Las Vegas – the two largest U.S. metropolitan areas not currently connected by the Interstate Highway system.

The $240 million bridge was constructed with a combination of federal and state funds. The federal government committed $100 million and Arizona and Nevada each committed $20 million. The remaining $100 million came from state bonds, of which more than $93 million have been repaid.

The bridge is named for two prominent area citizens: Mike O’Callaghan was a former Nevada Governor, longtime community leader and area businessman. O’Callaghan was a long-time resident of Southern Nevada and a strong advocate for the area. He passed away in 2004 at the age of 74.

Pat Tillman was a standout student and athlete at Arizona State University and played professional football for the Arizona Cardinals before electing to join the Army after the events of 9/11. He was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2004 at the age of 27.

For more information, visit www.HooverDamBypass.org.