| Laughlin-Bullhead City Bridge Project |
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Background
Today, a single bridge over the Colorado River provides the only major 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 portion 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.
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.
Purpose & Need
The purpose of this project is to provide a Colorado River crossing for vehicles in addition to the existing Laughlin Bridge. Additionally the purpose is to:
- Accommodate present and future traffic demand between Laughlin, Nevada and Bullhead City, Arizona
- Improve congestion on Arizona State Route (SR) 95 including north / south traffic flows and overall circulation within Bullhead City
- Enhance connections between Laughlin and Bullhead City
- Improve access and delivery of emergency services to the region in a manner that is safe, reliable and cost-effective while avoiding, minimizing and / or mitigating effects on the communities and the environment
An additional bridge crossing would provide increased mobility and safety, improved regional connectivity, and better access between the communities.
An additional bridge is needed in the Laughlin-Bullhead City area as a result of the following factors:
Travel Patterns and Traffic Demand
In 2004, there were approximately 44,300 total bridge crossings per day on the existing Laughlin Bridge (HDR–Draft TDM Technical Memorandum; April 2005). The traffic demand at the crossing is projected to increase to approximately 105,200 total bridge crossings per day in the year 2030, which is nearly 2.5 times the capacity of the existing bridge. The table below is a summary of the purposes for vehicle trips in the project traffic model study area for 2004.
Vehicle Trip Summary
| Trip Purpose |
Total Trips / Per Day |
Percent Trips |
Average Trip Lenght
in Minutes |
| Home-based work |
45,163 |
21.2% |
10.89 |
| Home-based other |
127,560 |
50% |
8.87 |
| Non-home based |
73,354 |
28.8% |
7.43 |
The largest proportion of trips (home-based other) are made from Laughlin to Bullhead City for goods and services, including major shopping, car dealerships and repair services, health care, beauty and barber shops, places of worship, child-care facilities, law offices, and other consumer services. This imbalance of services is primarily due to the land-use development patterns on both sides of the river.
Laughlin, Nevada and Bullhead City, Arizona are a complementary pair of jobs/housing communities, with Bullhead City providing about 72% of Laughlin’s employees. In 2004, there were about 14,000 workers in Laughlin. Bullhead City has little in the way of major employers and Laughlin does not yet provide enough housing to accommodate its workers (RTCSN-Regional Transportation Plan FY 2006-2030; October 2006). This produces an existing (and future) imbalance of home-work trips across the bridge.
The existing bridge also carries non-home based trips that include tourist, business, and other trips across the river. Finally, a small proportion of trips are made by tourists not making local stops in Arizona or Nevada before crossing the bridge to a final destination elsewhere.
The dominant vehicle movement (primarily in the morning peak period between 8 a.m. and 9 a.m., but also occurring during swing and graveyard shift changes) is westbound from Arizona, across the existing Laughlin Bridge and then turning left onto southbound Casino Drive in Nevada. The reverse movement occurs during the evening peak period (3:15 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.). With approximately 44,300 total bridge crossings per day occurring on the existing Laughlin Bridge in 2004, the existing bridge and the area street system is functioning at the worst traffic operating condition. Long wait times increase air pollution, waste fuel, and contribute to user costs of travel. These poor traffic operating conditions will further deteriorate over time as the number of crossings is projected to increase by over 135% by 2030.
Land Use and Socioeconomic Growth
Laughlin, Nevada had a population of 7,076 in the year 2000 U.S. Census and the more current population is estimated at 8,629 persons (Clark County Department of Comprehensive Planning-Southern Nevada Consensus Population Estimate; July 2006). However, in July of 2007 the Colorado River Commission (CRC) transferred approximately 4,561 additional acres to Clark County for privatization in Laughlin, which will enable major additional development capacity. In addition, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has plans to dispose of approximately 2,689 acres for privatization in Laughlin. The availability of these areas for private development will substantially increase opportunities for growth, with associated traffic, in and around Laughlin in the future.
Bullhead City, Arizona had a population of 33,769 in the year 2000 U.S. Census and is currently estimated at 39,930 persons (Arizona Department of Economic Security; 2007). Mohave County, where Bullhead City is located, experienced 66 percent growth in population between 1990 and 2000, due to the availability of affordable retirement housing, commercial growth, and the presence of Laughlin with nearby employment opportunities.
The population, dwelling unit, and employment estimates for 2004 and 2030 within the project traffic model study area in summarized in the following table, which indicates that the total population of the region is expected to increase by more than 235% by 2030. Traffic is likely to also increase at a substantial rate.
Year 2004 and 2030 Population, Dwelling Unit and Employment Data
| Location |
Year 2004 |
Year 2030 |
Popuation |
Dewlling Units |
Employees |
Population |
Dwelling units |
Employees |
Laughlin /
Clark County |
7,297 |
2,810 |
13,967 |
21,601 |
12,222 |
23,237 |
| Bullhead City |
32,099 |
17,760 |
8,105 |
40,741 |
22,461 |
12,217 |
| Laughlin Ranch |
- |
- |
- |
29,566 |
12,882 |
1,889 |
| Mohave County |
10,666 |
4,789 |
1,485 |
27,082 |
17,074 |
5,952 |
| Total |
50,062 |
25,359 |
23,557 |
118,990 |
65,639 |
43,295 |
*Note: Within project traffic model study area boundary
Access to and Delivery of Emergency Services
There is a definite lack of alternative routes in the Laughlin / Bullhead City area. Since the Davis Dam Road crossing is permanently closed to traffic, the only detour route available instead of the existing bridge is the Aha Macav Bridge on tribal lands at the northern limits of Mohave Valley. This alternate route adds 14.5 miles and considerable time to a one-way trip between the two cities across the Laughlin Bridge. An additional bridge that is appropriately located would improve response times for emergency vehicles.
When the existing bridge is blocked due to accidents, stalled vehicles or substantial traffic jams, emergency medical attention is compromised and public safety threatened. This is particularly critical for injured persons needing urgent medical attention located in the northwest part of Laughlin on the Nevada side of the river since they must be transported to the Western Arizona Regional Medical Center, located on Silver Creek Road, in Bullhead City, Arizona. Traffic issues on the existing bridge also impede deployment of other emergency services such as fire fighting engines and equipment.
Vehicle crashes interfere with the typical traffic flow across the existing bridge and often result in closures and lengthy delays. Between October 2000 and September 2003, 164 crashes occurred on the existing Laughlin Bridge and adjacent roadway intersections (Nevada Department of Transportation and Arizona Department of Transportation traffic studies). This is a higher rate, nearly double that of crash incidents than in the surrounding intersections.
Bridge Alignment Alternatives
The IDT began the project process by reviewing a total of eight alignment alternatives. The following alternatives were eliminated from detailed study because they did not meet the project’s purpose and need.
- Pass Canyon
- Silver Creek
- Lakeside
- Hancock
- Marina
After reviewing all of the identified bridge alignment alternatives, the IDT decided to move forward with three – Riverview Drive, Rainbow Drive and Bullhead Parkway.
To date, the IDT has identified the Riverview Drive location as the preferred bridge site because it appears to be the optimal location for the bridge, however, the team will continue to study the remaining two locations as part of the environmental process.
Environmental Process
The Laughlin-Bullhead City Bridge Project is currently in the environmental phase. This is simply one step in the overall process and is required by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA).
What is NEPA?
The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to assess the social, economic, and environmental impacts of a proposed action. If a project is to receive federal funding, compliance with NEPA is mandatory.
The purpose of the NEPA process is to:
- Evaluate the potential for social, economic, and environmental impacts as a result of the project
- Provide the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) with a decision-making tool that compares and analyzes project alternatives
- Consider appropriate impact mitigation such as avoidance, minimization, and compensation
- Provide interagency participation, especially coordination and consultation
- Conduct public involvement opportunities to participate and comment
- Provide valid documentation and disclosure
- Evaluate the consequences of not developing the project
What is an Environmental Assessment?
An Environmental Assessment (EA) is one of the approaches used in the NEPA process to accomplish the above-mentioned goals. The assessment is a concise federal document available to the public that provides sufficient evidence and analysis to allow the lead agency to determine whether there will be significant adverse social, economic, and environmental impacts. For the Laughlin-Bullhead City Bridge Project, the FHWA’s Nevada Division is the lead agency.
When the significance is uncertain of impacts of a transportation project proposal, an environmental assessment is prepared to assist in making this determination. If it is found that significant impacts will result that can’t be mitigated or will be difficult to mitigate, the preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) should begin immediately.
Who makes the NEPA determinations for the project?
The effort to determine whether this bridge is necessary is a consensus-based process involving both Nevada and Arizona and:
- Federal, state, and local partners in the transportation, resource, and regulatory agencies
- Tribal governments
- Local businesses
- Transportation and environmental interests groups
- Stakeholders
- Affected neighborhoods
- The public
 Community Outreach & Public Participation
Both community outreach and public participation are critical components of the environmental process and the RTC and its project partners are committed to ensuring that the public’s voice is heard. To date, the following public outreach has been conducted:
- July 18, 2007, Bullhead City public information meeting
- July 19, 2007, Laughlin public information meeting
- May 28, 2008, Bullhead City neighborhood meeting
- Jan. 26, 2008, Laughlin Town Advisory Board meeting
- Feb. 5, 2008, Bullhead City Council meeting
- Sept. 9, 2008, Laughlin Town Advisory Board meeting
- Jan. 27, 2009, Laughlin town hall meeting
- Feb. 3, 2009, Bullhead City Council meeting
Project Progress
To date, a number of activities related to the project have been competed. The following time line details the project’s current status and regular updates will be provided on this site. To be notifed via email when this information is updated, please click here.
Project Contact Information
If you have comments about the Laughlin-Bullhead City Bridge Project, please contact Steve Cooke with the Nevada Department of Transportation at 775-888-7686 or by mail at:
Nevada Department of Transportation
Environmental Services Division
Attn: Steve Cooke
1263 S. Stewart Street
Carson City, NV 89712
If you are a member of media with questions, please contact Allison Blankenship at 702-676-1714.
Project background 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)
Bullhead City Council Meeting Presentation (PDF, 827 KB) Feb. 3, 2009
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