Colonial Flag Involved at Hoover Dam Bypass

After almost 8 years of work, and at a cost of $240 million – a bridge that will let drivers bypass the Hoover Dam along the Arizona-Nevada border opened Tuesday night, October 19th, 2010.

Hoover Dam Bypass under construction.

The Federal Highway Administration, in conjunction with the Arizona Department of Transportation and the Nevada Department of Transportation, officially opened the new segment of Highway 93 that is formally known as the “Hoover Dam Bypass.”

A 12 by 18 foot state flag of Arizona, a 30 by 60 foot United States flag and a 12 by 18 ft state flag of Nevada, custom manufactured by Colonial Flag of Sandy, Utah, were presented by Event Arts and Protocol (a Division of Colonial Flag) over the side of the Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge as part of the Hoover Dam Bypass Project dedication ceremony that was held on Thursday, October 14, 2010 in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Nevada.

U.S.Highway 93 is a major commercial corridor that has suffered from increasing congestion as a result of a number switchbacks around the Hoover Dam area. The economic burden, the various local restrictions and potential catastrophes have led to the construction of the Bypass project at the Hoover Dam.

In the past, Highway 93 passed over the top of the Hoover Dam to cross the Colorado River. Not only is Highway 93 a heavily used corridor between the states of Arizona, Nevada and Utah, it also is a significant route that connects the countries of Canada in the north and Mexico in the south.

Because of a potentially dangerous situation as a result of high traffic volumes in combination with the sharp curves on Highway 93 leading to and around the Hoover Dam site, the new bypass also reduces the risk of a major catastrophe that could affect bystanders, millions of dollars in property damage to the Hoover Dam and nearby facilities and interruption of significant electricity and water supplies for residents in the Southwest area of the United States.

Interestingly, the Hoover Dam Bypass project is a 3.5 mile long corridor that starts at milepost 2.2 in Clark County, Nevada, and terminates near milepost 1.7 on Highway 93 near Mohave County in Arizona. The bypass crosses the Colorado River some 1,400 plus feet downstream of the Hoover Dam.

The display and presentation of the flag were more technical than previous jobs of a similar nature due to the complexities of timing within the dedication ceremony, wind concerns and prevention of damage to the new structure.

Colonial Flag and Event Arts and Protocol were invited Kaneen Advertising and PRG of Las Vegas (producers of the ceremony and events of the dedication week) because of their years of experience with similar projects at Olympic and Regional events. Mr. Bill Wing, project manager for Colonial Flag / Event Arts and Protocol, commented that many in attendance commented that the flag unfurling was the most memorable part of the dedication.

For more information visit http://www.colonialflag.com.