CROSSING HOOVER DAM: A GUIDE FOR MOTORIST

     Since Sept. 11, 2001, vehicle traffic across Hoover Dam has been restricted. Motorists must now pass through inspection checkpoints, located on U.S. Highway 93 one mile north of the dam in Nevada, and 9 miles south of the dam in Arizona, before crossing the dam. 

     The checkpoints are staffed by Bureau of Reclamation Police Officers and contractor security personnel, who are authorized to inspect any vehicle at any time, before it is allowed to pass through the checkpoint and cross the dam. 

     The vehicle passenger area, trunk/cargo area, engine compartment, undercarriage, and the cargo holds of buses may be searched, as well as any closed or locked containers. If contraband and/or prohibited items are found, additional police officers will be summoned. Motorists who refuse a search will not be allowed through the checkpoint or across the dam.

     The determination about the types of vehicles to allow across the dam was based on specific criteria, including an assessment of the threat posed by specific vehicles, as well as the ease and the thoroughness with which certain types of vehicles can be inspected. 

     Listed here are guidelines to help motorists who are planning to cross Hoover Dam.

ALLOWED VEHICLES

     Note: Any vehicle may be fully inspected at any time before it is allowed to pass through the checkpoint and cross the dam. 

     Passenger vehicles weighing one ton or less, such as automobiles, light trucks, dual wheel rear-axle vehicles, vans, sport utility vehicles, motorcycles and semi-truck “bob tails” without trailers.

     Commercial buses will also be allowed if they are not carrying luggage in their cargo hold or on the bus. However, the cargo bay of all buses and the “covered beds” of pickups will be inspected and there will be a walk-through of the bus passenger area.

     Recreational vehicles, motor homes, camper trailers in tow, personal water craft or boats, 5^th wheel trailers, non-commercial livestock trailers, small trailers and rental trucks (such as U-Haul type) may cross Hoover Dam, if they can be inspected easily and completely.

     The vehicle operator or an occupant will be responsible for removing any cargo covering and for opening doors, compartments, cabinets, boxes, and crates. Failure to do this will prohibit the vehicle from passing through the checkpoint and crossing the dam.

VEHICLES NOT ALLOWED TO CROSS HOOVER DAM

     -All semi-trucks (18-wheelers), unless the operator possesses a Hoover Dam permit. (Note: Permits are issued by Reclamation Police only for commercial vehicles operating within a 75-mile radius of the dam.) 

     -Commercial buses with luggage.

     -Enclosed box trucks, moving vans, and/or NASCAR-type boxed vehicle/equipment transport trailers longer than 26.5 feet.

     -Vehicles with cargo that cannot be inspected.

     -Any vehicle carrying hazardous materials, combustible or flammable materials (other than the vehicle’s fuel), munitions, explosives, fertilizer in excess of 40 lbs., or any material perceived to be a security risk. Unless otherwise authorized, motorists may only carry a maximum of 25 gallons of additional fuel in separate containers, such as portable gas cans, fuel drums, etc. However, the inspecting officer may use discretion in permitting a vehicle to cross or not.

HEAVY TRAFFIC SITUATIONS

     Currently, motorists can expect periodic delays on Highway 93 approaching Hoover Dam from Arizona or Nevada because of construction associated with the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge (Information about the project is available on the Federal Highways Administration’s web site at hooverdambypass.net.).

     Normally, traffic at Hoover Dam is heaviest between the hours of 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. During weekends and holidays – such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and others – motorists should anticipate heavy traffic throughout the weekend as well, particularly at the start of the holiday period.

     For updated information about crossing Hoover Dam, call 888-248-1259.

     Contact:  External Affairs Office, Bureau of Reclamation at 702-293-8421.