Even on a road trip one can't escape security! Traveling out of Las Vegas to Phoenix last week we decided to take the more direct route over Hoover Dam. Before being allowed to cross the dam, we had to pass through what looks like a permanent security checkpoint manned by the Nevada Highway Patrol. We were waved through but it looked like all RVs and some random cars were being directed to "secondary". Trucks and busses are not allowed over the dam at all (there are signs to this effect directing them to an alternate route well in advance of the dam itself). A similar setup exists on the Arizona side of the border.

This will all be moot however as soon as the Hoover Dam Bypass is finished. At that point nobody will be permitted to drive across the dam. http://www.hooverdambypass.org/

Thanks for the link. In the end, it looks like it'll be a beneficial project with respect to traffic & trucking which goes through the area - it'll provide a better route and a safer roadway without many switchbacks.

On the other side of the coin, it'll be sad if no traffic will be allowed across the dam after the completion of this project. When I have visited Hoover Dam in the past, it was great as a tourist to be able to drive over it. The dam crossing should at least remain open for tourism by automobile instead of closed and changed because of "security reasons". I suspect they'll close it off on each end and turn the roadway into a big pedestrian bridge. While it's been several years, IIRC, the parking lot for Hoover Dam was on the other side of the river if approaching from Vegas.

To allow traffic through for tourism, I would be ok with a security checkpoint for automobiles merely because of the importance of the Hoover Dam. Given the severe consequences if something were to happen to it and the fact it is likely a "terrorist target", I would support some type of security provided it isn't overboard and balances are in place. Once the by-pass is built, anyone going to the dam would be doing so to see it and getting the other traffic away will improve the experience, IMHO.

Best,

SDF_Traveler

There is a multi-story parking structure on the Vegas side now.

(Only one more post to go until 1,000, yeah!)

Please post wisely.

The bypass looks like what they by the Glen Canyon Dam at Lake Powell. If that's the case, it'll be much easier to travel. Getting to Hoover was always a pain with the switchbacks.

I will.

Ooops! I blew that one

I'll be glad when it's pedestrian-only. The roadway is fairly narrow and busy, and as a tourist I'd like to be able to freely walk from one side of the roadway to the other to admire both views.

The rent-a-cops were out at the 'checkpoint' in August of 2003 when I approached the Hoover Dam from the south. I slowed down and ignored their stop sign once I noticed they were armed only with nightsticks.

They ran after my car (I was driving at 5mph) and shouted for me to stop. I did, letting them catch up with me.

"Why didn't you stop!", asked the older, fatter one.

"Because it's a public road", I replied.

"You -have- to stop when we order you to. Let me see some ID", bleated the second security guard.

"Look", said I, "I'm an American driving in America on a public road; and unless I'm driving through the village of Wackenhut, you have zero power to stop anyone. Go ^&*( yourselves, rent-a-cops."

I then drove away, enjoying the majestic views the Hoover Dam offers on my way to Las Vegas.