News Release Archive

Hoover Dam Expects Heavy Traffic During Holiday Period

Visitor facilities closed Christmas Day

Media Contact: Robert Walsh, 702.293.8421, rwalsh@lc.usbr.gov

For Release: December 22, 2004

Motorists planning to cross Hoover Dam during the Christmas/New Year's Day holiday period should expect heavy and slower-than-normal traffic.

Based on traffic statistics from previous years and the weekend after Thanksgiving Day last month, Dec. 26 through Jan. 2, 2005, are projected to be the busiest traffic days at the dam. On these days, motorists should have flexible schedules to allow about two hour's extra time to drive across the dam. The peak traffic hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (Pacific Standard Time). Drivers traveling at other times should expect delays as well, but for somewhat shorter periods than at peak travel hours.

Hoover Dam police will be managing traffic and visitors throughout the holiday period. Motorists are reminded that the speed limit approaching and across the dam is only 15 miles per hour, and will be strictly enforced.

To ease some traffic congestion, construction on the Hoover Dam By-pass Bridge will be halted from Dec. 24 through Jan. 2, 2005.

Post Sept. 11, 2001, vehicle restrictions remain in effect. Commercial trucks, and buses with luggage, are prohibited from crossing the dam. Recreational vehicles, U-Haul type trucks, boats and trailers, and pickups with camper shells or other coverings will be inspected before being allowed across the dam. All vehicles, including passenger cars and their contents, are subject to inspection.

No Tours Christmas Day

Hoover Dam will be open for tours through Friday, Dec. 24. However, all facilities and services -- parking garage, Visitor Center, all concessions, and the tour service -- will be closed on Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25, but visitors will be able to walk around the top of the dam until dark. The Arizona Spillway parking lot also will be closed, but other Arizona parking lots will be open.

All facilities will re-open on Sunday, Dec. 26, at 9 a.m., and resume continuous daily routine operation, including New Year's Day.

Visitation after Christmas Day, is usually heavy, with the peak visitation time typically between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., concurrent with the high traffic period. The parking garage is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.