Bullhead City-Laughlin bridge plan might shrink by two lanes

BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. - Officials on both sides of the Colorado River say the idea of building a second bridge between Bullhead City and Laughlin remains alive despite little to show for years of discussion and debate.

But the proposed second bridge may shrink to fit available funding amid some continued grumbling about the likely site.

Many residents of Bullhead City work in casino-resorts in Laughlin. The two towns are linked by one bridge.

Laughlin developer Bob Bilbray said he remains skeptical about the chosen site, but Bullhead City Manager Toby Cotter said he and Laughlin Town Manager Jackie Brady confirm there is agreement about the site.

That site has cleared environmental reviews, and Brady said it wouldn't make sense to move the project to another location and start the process over again.

The Mohave Daily News reported that the option under consideration is to scale down the project from four lanes to two lanes for cost reasons.

Bullhead City Public Works Director Pawan Agrawal said he thinks the bridge and its approaches can be built for the $18.5 million on hand.

Cotter said he would like to ask the federal government for more money, but that doesn't appear realistic because of Washington's budget problems.

"That $18 million is not going to sit there forever, and somebody's got to move and start something, and it's got to be on their side of the river," said Bullhead City Mayor Jack Hakim, referring to Nevada.

Bilbray said he doesn't think the site decision will be revisited.

"I don't think the City Council over there has any appetite at all to open up this site issue again," he said. "I really don't. And if I were them, I wouldn't either. It was just too hot an issue, and I don't think it's going to be any less now."