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.
Click here to learn more about the studies and potential sites. Public information meetings were held July 18 and 19, 2007. The comment period for the current phase of the project closed Aug. 3, 2007.

Project Information
Study area
Previously studied locations
Project Alternatives
Currently proposed study locations
Riverview close up
Project History
Eliminated alternatives fact sheet
NEPA fact sheet
De Minimis fact sheet
Purpose and needs fact sheet
*Janurary project presentation*