Weekend what we’re reading: New Hoover Dam bridge, csutoms dog finds pot in chocolate, miracle movie

Hoover Dam bypass bridge dedication planned next week

On Thursday, October 14th, Secretary of Transportation, Ray LaHood will dedicate the $240 million Mike O’Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge that soars past the Hoover Dam in Southern Nevada.

Part of the Hoover Dam Bypass Project included construction of three miles of approach bridges and roadways in Nevada and Arizona, a tunnel in Nevada and wildlife underpasses and overpasses.

The bridge will cut traffic by more than 14,000 cars and trucks each day that travel the steep and winding approach roads to the Hoover Dam traffic and speed up transit between Las Vegas and Phoenix. Plus, the views will be priceless.

The bypass bridge is the longest single-span concrete arch bridge in the western hemisphere and is believed to be the second highest bridge in the nation.

Also, members of the public have been invited to walk on the bridge Oct. 16 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The bridge will open to vehicle traffic in the following weeks.

The first use of the bridge will be Saturday, with participants in the Regional Transportation Commission’s Viva Bike Vegas event. Riders in the 115-mile route will ride across the bridge and back.

Dog finds 21 pounds of pot hidden in chocolate at Dulles

Our customs and border protection troops are hard at work. One of the canine variety sniffed out hidden pot among packages of chocolate.

Customs and Border Protection says a drug-sniffing dog found 21 pounds of marijuana hidden in packages of chocolate shipped to Washington-Dulles International Airport.

The marijuana was headed to New York. It has an estimated street value of nearly $17,000.

Officials say the dog, named Demi, alerted for a mailbag that arrived from Mexico City. One of five boxes in the sack contained marijuana.

Will there be a movie about the “Miracle on the Hudson”?

The New York Post reported that Captain Sullenberger has optioned the movie rights to his book, “Highest Duty: My Search for What Really Matters.”

“Sully” was persuaded to take the Hollywood plunge after talking with actor Harrison Ford at an aviation event, Variety reported yesterday.

The value of the deal was not disclosed.

Sullenberger safely landed US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River last year after colliding with geese.

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