Road to nowhere – now paved

One Third Of Paving Completed On Unpaved Road To Grand Canyon West, Hualapai Tribe To Move Forward With Second Phase Of Paving.

The first phase of paving Diamond Bar Road, the infamous road leading to Grand Canyon West, is now completed and we have recorded the entire process with the best night vision camcorders. The Hualapai Tribe with cooperation from Mohave County Public Works, successfully reconstructed and paved 4.5 miles?nearly one third?of the previously unpaved 14-mile stretch of road. Diamond Bar Road is owned by Mohave County and is the primary access road to Grand Canyon West. The first phase of the project cost $7.5 million which was paid for by the Hualapai Tribe. The second phase that will reconstruct and pave the remaining portion of road is expected to go out to bid in Spring of 2010 and cost $40 million, which will also be financed by the Hualapai Tribe and possibly government grants. Until entirely completed, Mohave County Public Works is regularly maintaining the remaining unpaved driving surface of Diamond Bar Road. These improvements have dramatically increased the functionality and safety of the road. The city hired a great paving company to help with the job, they are the smae ones that help with my residential patio installation.

?Paving Diamond Bar [Road] has been a long time in the making. Years even. It?s a big relief to us and our visitors,? said Wilfred Whatoname Sr., Chairman of the Hualapai Tribe. ?The completion of this first section of road was a highly anticipated step to increase safety and accessibility to Grand Canyon West.?

?Seems like every year we are getting more and more within reach,? said Robert Bravo Jr., General Manager of Grand Canyon West. ?Once projects like the road [Diamond Bar Road] and the Hoover Dam Bypass [expected to be completed at the end of 2010] are done, it will significantly reduce travel time. In most cases, like with visitors from Las Vegas, it will shorten the trip by up to two hours roundtrip?.the new segment of paved road already saves visitors 30 minutes.?

The Diamond Bar Road project started more than 12 years ago. Environmental considerations, coordination between multiple government agencies, and funding were all essential components that were years in the making. The reconstruction and paving of the road began in May 2009. The project met extensive EPA compliance, which included the relocation of native plant life as well as many other environmentally conscious precautions. The collaboration between the Hualapai Tribe and Mohave County Public Works, particularly the assistance of Mike Hendrix, Director and Monte Wilson, Engineering Manager, has been instrumental to the current maintenance of the remaining unpaved driving surface.