Assembly committee hears bill to designate Colorado River Highway, name Laughlin bridge for Donald J. Laughlin

CARSON CITY — The Assembly Committee on Growth and Infrastructure opened a hearing on Assembly Bill 110 to designate Nevada Highway 163 (and Arizona Highway 68) as the Colorado River Highway and to name the bridge at the terminus the Donald J. Laughlin Memorial Bridge.

Assemblywoman Danielle Gallant, the bill sponsor, introduced the measure and yielded to Carrie Larson, executive director of the Laughlin Chamber of Commerce, who described the proposal as a regional marketing and memorial effort. "By establishing a unified identity for these 2 critical transportation corridors, we enhance our ability to market our region as a premier tourism and business hub," Larson said.

Larson told the committee that the bridge at the end of Highway 163 that crosses into Bullhead City, Arizona, has never been formally named and that the bill is intended to "ensure that Donald J. Laughlin's legacy is forever recognized." She traced Donald J. Laughlin's business history and philanthropic investments in the area, telling lawmakers that Laughlin bought a motel and six acres of riverfront in the 1960s for "$235,000 and only $35,000 down," built the Riverside Resort and oversaw multiple expansions that helped turn the site into a destination. Larson said Laughlin personally funded a connecting bridge and other infrastructure projects, and that "today, an estimated 50,000 people cross that bridge daily."

Supporters spoke in favor in both Carson City and Las Vegas. Glenn Levitt, speaking in person, and Taylor Avery, manager of political affairs for the Vegas Chamber, each expressed support; Avery said the chamber "supports efforts to invest in the state's infrastructure" and thanked the bill sponsor. Larson said letters of support from local governments and agencies were provided to the committee as exhibits.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about which bridge would be named and about responsibilities for signage. Larson clarified that the naming applies to the bridge north of the Riverside Resort at the terminus of Highway 163, not the Silver Copper Crossing, and that the Nevada Department of Transportation would be responsible for signage. Danielle Gallant confirmed the committee's understanding that NDOT would handle signage.

No callers or members of the public testified in opposition or neutral; the committee chair closed the hearing after supporters finished. Chair Watts noted that the location already appears named on Google Maps and said, "we've just got to get the state to to catch up."