On the way from Vegas to the Grand Canyon it's obligatory to stop by the Hoover Dam. I've been here a few times and as recently as a couple of years ago. Until now, crossing over the dam has been the best way to cross the Colorado river / lake Meade for points west in Arizona. It turns out that with the completion of the new Hoover Dam bypass bridge (see below) not only is that not the best route anymore, it's not even an option -- once you drive across the dam the road is closed.
The great thing about the change is that it really cuts down on traffic on the dam which has been a big issue since they started doing vehicle inspections in 2001. These days you can drive right up to the dam, park, and take your time with photos or whatnot. Pretty great experience.
