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Lake Havasu City leaders give timeline for state‑funded second bridge to the island
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Summary
Mayor Cal Sheehy and City Manager Jessica Newton said a $35.5 million state appropriation funds a proposed second bridge to the island; the city has approved a design and construction contract, received a 60% design submittal and has submitted initial plans to the U.S. Coast Guard for review.
Lake Havasu City officials on March 27 updated residents on plans for a second bridge to the island, saying the project is funded by a $35.5 million state appropriation and is moving through design and permitting.
"We have an opportunity to build a second bridge to go over to the island," Mayor Cal Sheehy said, noting Representative Leo Biasucci led the legislative effort that secured the appropriation. City Manager Jessica Newton said council approved the design and construction contract in March 2025 and the city’s design team recently provided a 60% design submittal. "We received the 60% design just a couple weeks ago," Newton said.
Newton said engineers adjusted the planned alignment to be perpendicular to the channel after discussions with state land, a change she estimated would save about $2–3 million in materials and deck work. She also said the city has submitted initial design plans to the U.S. Coast Guard; Newton characterized the Coast Guard review as roughly a 12‑month process and said the city hopes to hear back around mid‑summer.
Officials described the planned approach as starting near the Windsor State Park entrance, running parallel to Crazy Horse Campground and tying into Beachcomber Boulevard on the island. Sheehy said the goal is multiple access points to the island and emphasized that the state appropriation covers construction so the city is not using local taxpayer dollars for the appropriation portion of the project.
Newton said remaining near‑term work includes finalizing an agreement with State Trust Lands and State Parks, coordinating utility and intersection designs, and refining the road network impacts on adjacent neighborhoods. She reiterated the city remains focused on delivering a cost‑effective and durable design.
The city described a planned construction window that could begin late in the calendar year if permitting and final agreements proceed on schedule. The project remains subject to the Coast Guard’s review, final interagency agreements and construction bidding and scheduling.
The update followed prior council action approving the initial design and construction contract in March 2025; city staff said additional contract awards and project milestones will be announced as approvals are finalized.
