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Building the Hoover Dam Bridge [Slide Show]

A photographic essay captures the construction of a 1,900-foot addition to the iconic American landmark

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CONNECT-THE-ARCH:
thumb: CONNECT-THE-ARCH:
CONNECT-THE-ARCH:

In this downstream view from the dam, the high-line crane system seen here was used to transport materials and workers during construction.

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Courtesy of Jamey Stillings (www.jameystillings.com)
SUPPORTING THE BRIDGE:
thumb: SUPPORTING THE BRIDGE:
SUPPORTING THE BRIDGE:

This photograph shows temporary pylons on the Arizona side of the bridge, which held up cables that supported the two sections of the arch. 

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Courtesy of Jamey Stillings (www.jameystillings.com)
PEERING DOWN:
thumb: PEERING DOWN:
PEERING DOWN:

This view from above the pylons looks down through the cables to the Arizona bridge deck. This is the first concrete-steel composite arch bridge in the U.S.

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Courtesy of Jamey Stillings (www.jameystillings.com)
BIRDS-EYE VIEW:
thumb: BIRDS-EYE VIEW:
BIRDS-EYE VIEW:

An aerial view of the canyon also shows Route 93 in the foreground.

[Link to this slide]
Courtesy of Jamey Stillings (www.jameystillings.com)
GOING TO WORK:
thumb: GOING TO WORK:

GOING TO WORK:

  Ten ironworkers climb the arch on the Nevada side to start their evening shifts. The $240-million construction of the four-lane bridge began in October 2003....[More]

READY FOR ACTION:
thumb: READY FOR ACTION:
READY FOR ACTION:

The bridge opened to traffic on October 19, 2010.

[Link to this slide]
Courtesy of Jamey Stillings (www.jameystillings.com)
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  1. 1. JimFromEarth 12:48 PM 12/27/11

    I lived in Las Vegas during the time of the bridge's construction. It was truly an amazing sight to watch it being built. Night work was spectacular! Of all the recent highway construction projects in the Nevada-Arizona region, the bridge was the best. It makes to commute to Arizona much quicker and the view of Hoover Dam is incredible. Truly a masterpiece of engineering!

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