Laughlin-Bullhead City Bridge Project

Today, a single bridge over the Colorado River provides the only link between Laughlin, Nev. and Bullhead City, Ariz.  The two communities complement one another in residential and employment opportunities with Bullhead City providing a large majority of Laughlin’s workforce.

The existing bridge connects the two cities at State Highway 163 where the river is less than 2,000 feet wide. Vehicle crashes interfere with traffic flow across the bridge and often result in closures and lengthy delays. Emergency medical, fire and other services are compromised and public safety is affected when the existing bridge is blocked due to accidents, stalled vehicles or substantial traffic jams.

The purpose of the bridge project is to improve access across the Colorado River between Laughlin and Bullhead City. The goal is to accommodate present and future traffic demand; improve access and delivery of emergency services and the distribution of traffic on Arizona SR 95; provide an improved level of service to traffic, and enhance regional connectivity.

Federal, state and local agencies are working together on the project and comprise the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT). The IDT includes members from the Nevada and Arizona offices of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), Nevada Department of Transportation, Arizona Department of Transportation, Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC), Town of Laughlin, Clark County, Nev., Mohave County, Ariz., and City of Bullhead, Ariz. The federally mandated environmental process began in early 2007 and the involved agencies are now working together on the environmental studies needed for the project as the studies are required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).

The IDT identified a Riverview Drive location as the preferred bridge site; however, the team will also continue to study the remaining two locations, Rainbow Drive and Bullhead Parkway.  The IDT examined the three locations and found that the Riverview Drive alignment appears to be the optimal location if a bridge is constructed.  That recommendation is necessary to complete the Environmental Assessment, a process required for using federal funds and obtaining permits to construct the project.  Once the document is complete, it will be submitted to the federal and state transportation agencies for approval and subsequently published.   

The public had an opportunity to comment on the proposed locations during the formal public comment period in summer 2007.  The public will be invited to comment again when the final environmental document is published, distributed and presented at a location/design hearing currently anticipated for 2008. 

The recommendations of the Environmental Assessment will also be presented to local governing bodies for resolutions of support.   The Environmental Assessment, public comments and responses, together with resolutions of support from local governing bodies will then be submitted to the federal government for consideration.  A final federal decision is expected to follow in 2009.

Public information meetings were held July 18 and 19, 2007. The comment period for the current phase of the project closed Aug. 3, 2007.

A Bullhead City Neighborhood Meeting was held on Wednesday, May 28, 2008, at 2249 Clearwater Drive, Suite C, Bullhead City, Arizona from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. The purpose of this meeting was to provide current information on the Laughlin-Bullhead City Bridge Project study and solicit comments from area stakeholders regarding concerns or potential impacts associated with the Riverview Alternative and Rotary Park.
A brief presentation was given at 4:00 p.m. and again at 6:00 p.m. with time provided afterward for questions and answers. The comment period for this meeting closes June 13, 2008.

Project Information
Study area map (PDF, 2.58 MB)
Shows existing crossings, previously evaluated bridge locations, the area limits considered for the alternative study, within the
traffic model study limits.

Previously studied locations map (PDF, 1.81 MB)
Shows eight previously evaluated bridge locations and includes existing river crossings.

Project Alternatives map (PDF, 7.7 MB)
Shows three alternatives for detailed study in the evaluation area including Riverview Drive, Rainbow Drive, and Bullhead Parkway.

Riverview close up map (PDF, 2.83 MB)
Detailed view of Bullhead City segment Riverview alternative crossing Colorado River.

Project History (PDF, 120 KB)
The project history offers a timeline from October 2004 when the RTC, Clark County, and Bullhead City entered into an agreement
to support the consideration and possible development of a new bridge connecting Laughlin and Bullhead City through February
2007 when the FHWA-NV, NDOT authorized the RTC to initiate environmental activities in accordance with the stewardship agreement.

Eliminated alternatives fact sheet (PDF, 161KB)
Alternatives removed from the study because they didn't meet the project's need. Alternatives include: Pass Canyon, Silver Creek,
Lakeside, Hancock, and Marina.

NEPA fact sheet (PDF, 118 KB)
Describes the purpose of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and the purpose of the NEPA process.

De Minimis fact sheet (PDF, 150 KB)
The de minimis fact sheet explains the de minimus component to the 2005 Safe, Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act, Section 4(f) and how the approach would apply to the Riverview alignment.

Purpose and needs fact sheet (PDF, 170 KB)
Explains the purpose and need for a Colorado River crossing to accommodate present and future traffic demand between Laughlin,
Nevada and Bullhead City, Arizona.

January 2008 project presentation (PDF, 632 KB)
A project status briefing that identifies project team members, alternatives considered, build alternatives, a timeline for the environmental assessment, bullet points on technical reports, preferred alternative analysis evaluation criteria and a tentative project schedule.

Neighborhood Meeting for Riverview Alternative and Rotary Park (PDF, 1MB) May 28, 2008
Project status update presentation that identified team members, discussed recommended preferred alternative, preferred alternative evaluation criteria, Riverview alternative potential impacts, best design practices, potential access impacts, potential safety impacts, potential land use impacts, potential public parks & recreational resources impacts, potential noise impacts, potential air impacts, and a tentative project schedule.Meeting Welcome letter and Comment card.

Phase 1 Street View(PDF 12 MB)

Phase 2 Street View (PDF, 12 MB)

Riverview Alternative Cross Section 4-Lane (PDF, 270 KB)

Riverview Alternative Cross Section 6-Lane (PDF, 275 KB)