Grand Canyon Bridge Will Cement Stronger Bond Between Sister States of Arizona and Utah

VACATION LAND, 1929 ARIZONA HIGHWAYS Page Eleven Grand Canyon Bridge Will Cement Stronger Bond Between Sister States of Arizona and Utah By GOVERNOR GEORGE H. DERN of UTAH

CONSTRUCTION of the Grand Canyon Bridge across the Colorado River below Lee's Ferry will furnish the first and only direct route between the centers of Utah and Arizona which, heretofore, have been widely separated by the impassable barrier of the Colorado River.

The two states are truly sister states, having much in common. Their industries are similar, with mining predominating in each. Both lie in a semiarid belt and the problems of one are largely the problems of the other. Many of the inhabitants of Arizona formerly were residents of Utah, while numerous Utahns have resided, for a short time at least, in Arizona. As a result of these facts there exists between Utah and Arizona a bond of friendship that is unusually strong. The new bridge, by bringing the peoples of the two states more closely together, will cement more firmly that invisible tie which unites states and nations having interests in common.

It will mean also that larger numbers of tourists will visit the scenic attractions of each state. Heretofore it has been unusual for many of the tourists visiting the national parks of Utah to travel through Arizona, and few of those proceeding east or west through Arizona have viewed the North Rim of the Grand Canyon; the majestic grandeur of Zion National Park, or the more subtle beauties of Bryce National Park and Cedar Breaks. They have continued their journey east or west unconscious of the wonderful attractions to be found in Utah.

But with the completion of the Grand Canyon Bridge and the improvement of the highways lead-ing to that bridge, there will be seen a change. More and more of the tourists visiting the scenic wonderland of Utah will proceed down into the sister state and thence to their destinations. Motorists traveling through Arizona will be able to make a detour of two or three days into Utah, see and drive over the marvelous Zion-Mt. Carmel highway, with its switchbacks and huge tunnel, from the galleries of which the floor of Zion may be seen far below.

Increase in the north-south traffic from Salt Lake to Nogales will be another result of the construction of the bridge. A large percentage of the traffic now goes east and west. But there are conditions which make a direct north-south route from Utah to Arizona desirable. The heat becomes too intense for comfort in Phoenix during the summer months, while the cold of Utah winters causes many citizens of this state to think of the genial climate of Phoenix at that time of year. The Grand Canyon Bridge will make it more convenient for the citizens of either state to visit the other. The bridge will be an attraction in itself, spanning the canyon at approximately 700 feet above the stream, giving a delightful view of the scenes below. Motorists will have the keen pleasure to be derived from the ride across the Kaibab Forest, the greatest virgin forest in the country, with its herds of beautiful deer.

Yes, the completion of the Grand Canyon Bridge will mean much to the State of Utah, and the people of this state are happy in the thought that the benefits accruing to Utah from this great piece of engineering engenuity will be shared by Arizona.