As on any long holiday weekend, traffic crossing the dam will be heavy, said Hoover Dam Police Chief Anthony M. Losito. Motorists should have flexible schedules to allow for the extra time necessary to cross the dam from Thursday, July 3, through early Monday, July 7.

On a typical weekend, approximately 17,000 passenger vehicles cross the dam daily. On a holiday weekend, that number can increase by a few thousand. During holiday weekends it also can take one to two hours to cross the dam. Motorists should have flexible schedules to allow for the extra time. Historically, large numbers of pedestrians visit the dam during a holiday period.

Hoover Dam Police officers will be directing vehicles and pedestrian traffic at the dam throughout the weekend as needed to ensure as smooth and safe a flow of traffic as possible.

Drivers are also reminded:

" Do not stop on the roadway to load and unload passengers; This adds to the overall congestion on top of the dam;

" To reduce the chance of encountering a substantial delay, drivers should plan to cross the dam at non-peak hours;

" After dark, visitors are not allowed on the dam;

" The speed limit approaching and across the dam is only 15 miles per hour;

" The heaviest traffic period occurs generally between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Saving Time), as well as on Thursday evening and Sunday evening, July 6, for this weekend.

Additionally, standard vehicle restrictions remain in effect. All vehicles, including passenger cars and their contents, are always subject to inspection. For more information visit the travelers guide at http://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/crossingguide.pdf and the Hoover Dam Police Department Internet site at http://www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam/police.html.