Construction under way to improve Willow Beach

KINGMAN, Ariz. -- About $30 million in improvements are getting under way at the Willow Beach Recreation Area some 10 miles south of Hoover Dam.

National Park Service spokeswoman Roxanne Dey said Southern Nevadans make up as much as 85 percent of visitors to the popular Colorado River recreation area, reached off U.S. Highway 93.

Dey said the improvement campaign reflects the Park Service's recognition that more people will visit Willow Beach as the Hoover Dam Bypass Bridge and highway improvement projects advance toward completion in 2010. She said traffic will increase as will commercial and residential development in the area.

The first improvement project involves construction of a concrete-surfaced floating pier that will stretch 180 feet and run parallel to the shoreline. Gangways will extend from the shore to connect with both ends of the pier.

Traffic on the main road to Willow Beach will not be affected during the $866,000 pier construction effort, which will stretch into mid-July. However, there will be periodic 20- to 30-minute traffic interruptions on the road leading to the fish hatchery.

A portion of the Willow Beach launch ramp will be obstructed on occasion when sections of the pier are off-loaded for assembly. At least the south half of the ramp will remain available for public use.